The U N special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg expressed his concern about the continuation of military activity in the form of shelling, sniper fire, intermittent fighting, drone attacks and troop movements in parts of the country.
Briefing the security council from Aden, for the first time since his appointment on August 2021, where he met high rank representatives of the Yemeni Internationally recognized Government, Grundberg said he discussed with them the urgent need to address the deteriorating living conditions for Yemenis and make progress toward securing a roadmap agreement that ends the war and opens a path to just peace.
Grundberg told the Security Council that in December last year, through dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiation, the parties took a courageous step towards a peaceful solution for Yemen when they agreed to a set of commitments to be operationalized through a UN roadmap, adding that these commitments would provide for a nationwide ceasefire, ensure much-needed relief for Yemenis, and initiate an inclusive political process to sustainably end the conflict.
Grundberg expressed his concern about the conflicting parties’ threats to return to war, adding that further violence will not resolve the conflict, but “On the contrary, it will only exacerbate the suffering we see today and risk losing the opportunity for a political settlement.”
Grundberg concluded his briefing by repeating his determination to continue directing all his efforts toward enabling Yemenis to reach a nationwide ceasefire and start an inclusive political process that lays the foundations for a lasting peace.