A variety of governments, regional and international organizations around the world have rejected the declaration of a state of emergency and self-administration in southern Yemen by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) on Saturday.

The UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths, the European Union, the UK, the US, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the governments of Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain all rejected STC plans to takeover the administration of southern Yemen. The governments and organizations called on all parties to reaffirm the Riyadh Agreement, a Saudi-brokered power-sharing deal that seeks to incorporate the STC into Yemen’s internationally recognized government in Yemen’s interim capital of Aden.

“The Southern Transitional Declaration will bring problems and obstacles to the UN's efforts to achieve peace and stability in Yemen," said Peter Stano, the lead spokesperson for external affairs of the EU, in a statement.

UN Envoy Griffiths said in a statement that the declaration of self-administration in the south of the country was “disappointing” and called on the parties to the conflict to implement the Riyadh Agreement and refrain from escalation.

"The recent turn of events is disappointing, especially since Aden and other areas in the south have not yet recovered from the recent floods and the threat of the Corona pandemic," he said.

In a statement on Monday, the 57-nation OIC called on all Yemeni parties to refrain from any actions that would undermine efforts to implement the Riyadh Agreement, which STC and government officials signed in early November. The Arab League called on the parties to resolve the conflict with the Houthis instead of open new fronts in the war.

Hours after the STC declared self-administration in the south, government authorities in six out of eight southern governorates rejected the declaration. Aden and Al-Dhale are considered STC strongholds. 

The Yemeni government said the declaration was an extension of last year’s rebellion in which STC forces took over Aden, as well as Lahj, Abyan and Al-Dhale governorates.
Despite the widespread condemnation for the STC declaration, the UAE-backed council said on Monday it would not back down and that it was serving the interests of its people by providing security and stability.

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Edited by Ahlam Mohsen and Casey Coombs