Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa Noman: Yemen’s Stability Is a Cornerstone of Red Sea Security, and Relations with Germany Are Historic and Strategic

In a televised interview with Germany’s TV Berlin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Mustafa Noman presented a comprehensive overview of Yemen’s foreign policy priorities, the nature of Yemeni–German relations, and the humanitarian and security challenges facing Yemen, along with their direct implications for international maritime navigation and broader regional and global stability.

Noman described Yemeni–German relations as long-standing and deeply rooted, dating back to the early 1960s. He emphasized that Germany is Yemen’s second-largest donor and has provided tangible support to vital sectors, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure. He also noted that bilateral relations remained strong following German reunification, maintaining a consistent approach based on friendship and constructive cooperation.

Regarding the humanitarian crisis, the Deputy Minister explained that Yemen remained for years at the forefront of international attention as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. However, the emergence of new crises and conflicts elsewhere has led to a decline in global focus on Yemen, negatively affecting both humanitarian assistance and political engagement. He stressed that this decline poses a serious challenge given the continued humanitarian and economic needs.

Noman stated that his visit to Berlin aims to refocus attention on the situation in Yemen and underscore the importance of sustained German support—not only in terms of funding, but also through technical assistance and capacity-building for state institutions. He warned that the absence of such support could lead to further deterioration, an expansion of poverty, and threats to social stability. He affirmed that Yemen’s request to Germany is to maintain the level of support provided over the past decade and to avoid reductions under the current circumstances.

In a related context, Noman stressed that security in the Red Sea is closely linked to Yemen’s stability, noting that attacks on commercial shipping over the past two years highlight the dangers of the absence of a capable state able to exercise authority and protect its long coastline. “If Yemen is not stable, the Red Sea will not be stable,” he said, emphasizing that supporting the Yemeni government serves regional and international security interests.

Noman concluded by affirming that Yemen’s stability is not merely a domestic matter, but a fundamental pillar for regional security, the protection of international trade routes, and efforts to combat irregular migration and transnational crime. He called for a comprehensive international approach that addresses the root causes of the crisis and supports Yemen’s path toward recovery and stability.