Yemen developments in the eyes of the Security Council: full coverage of the last session
English - Wednesday 19 April 2023 الساعة 11:57 pm
Mocha, NewsYemen, Monitoring Team:
The recent session of the UN Security Council on Yemen was covered by most of the international and Yemeni media, but it focused only on the briefing of the UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg to the Council, and at best dealt with the briefing of the Acting United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
In this report, “Newsyemen” transmits the full coverage of the Security Council session that took place on Monday, April 17, 2023) from its coverage on the United Nations website in English, with the exception of the briefing of the UN envoy, which was dealt with in previous coverages, whereas, the head of the United Nations Military Mission in Hodeidah (UNMHA), and representatives of 13 countries, namely: the United States of America, China, Britain, France, the Russian Federation, Japan, Brazil, Switzerland, Albania, Ghana, Ecuador, Malta, and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to the representative of the Republic of Yemen, Abdullah Al-Saadi also spoke at the session, which lasted an hour and forty minutes.
All the words of the representatives of the countries of the world in the Security Council who spoke at the session touched on the importance of the continuation of the armistice and the positive release of prisoners and detainees, and the measures of the humanitarian operation and the Safer oil tanker.
In conclusion, these words reflect the true understanding of international diplomacy of the nature of war and conflict in Yemen. The speech of these representatives was not without a call to the Houthi militia to engage in the peace process in good faith, stop the military escalation, end obstacles to the provision of humanitarian aid and other measures necessary to establish comprehensive peace in the country.
Head of the Military Mission (UNMHA): Mines have a devastating effect on the population
The Head of UNMHA Mission and Co-Chair of the Hudaydah Redeployment Coordination Committee, Major General Michael Beary, briefed the Security Council on the situation in Hudaydah. Major-General Beary briefed the Security Council on the Mission's activities, including recent progress in the context of increased monitoring of UNMHA in the southern areas of Hudaydah Governorate. It also reminded the council of the devastating impact that landmines and explosive remnants of war still have on the local population in the governorate.
Major General Beary assured the Council of the commitment of the United Nations Mission in Support of the Hudaydah Agreement to continue to engage the parties to explore effective coordination mechanisms that can contribute to the collective efforts of the United Nations towards stability and peace in Yemen.
Representative for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): Houthi areas are more vulnerable to disease outbreaks
Ghada Madawi, deputy director of the Operations and Advocacy Division at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, noted that continued easing of import restrictions in recent weeks has allowed more commercial goods to enter the country. She added that last March, the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism authorized 41 ships destined for Red Sea ports carrying 825,000 metric tons of commercial cargo, including food, fuel and other commodities.
Madawi touched on the environmental threat posed by the Safer oil tanker, and said that the alternative tanker provided by the United Nations is expected to arrive in the Red Sea during the first half of next May. She stated that efforts are underway to mobilize the necessary additional financing for the project, referring to the donors' conference to be held on May 4, to be hosted by the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It also highlighted a loan of $20 million, which was made available from the Central Emergency Response Fund, to enable the start of the water operation next May.
Madawi noted that although there has been no widespread resurgence in fighting, escalating clashes in Marib and Shabwa have displaced nearly 10,000 people since early March 2023, while preventable diseases such as measles and polio are spreading at a dangerous pace. She expressed concern that these outbreaks could develop rapidly, particularly in Houthi-controlled areas, and said aid agencies were doing everything they could to respond. She urged donors to quickly disburse the commitments made at the pledging event in February 2023, and to increase support urgently, as she pointed to the challenges of the work environment in Yemen. She said that UN agencies would open an office in Taiz and send missions to remote areas across the country, to resolve significant and chronic access constraints.
She also highlighted the large number of access restrictions to those in need of aid, and said that most of these restrictions occur in Houthi-controlled areas, causing undue delays to urgent missions and impeding the timely delivery of aid. One area where little progress has been made, she said, is the issue of restrictions on the movement of Yemeni aid workers in Houthi-controlled areas, stressing that "all our staff, including female staff, are essential to humanitarian operations."
Madawi renewed the call on the parties to the conflict, in particular the Houthi de facto authorities, to fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law. She indicated that in Sana'a, two United Nations employees are still detained since November 2021, and that five employees kidnapped in Abyan since 2022 are still missing.
Moreover, much needs to be done to stabilize the Yemeni economy, such as boosting people's incomes, expanding demining efforts and restoring basic services.
Britain: The recent clashes in Marib and Shabwa have dire consequences
Welcoming the ongoing efforts to promote peace in Yemen, Barbara Woodward of the United Kingdom stressed that inclusive Yemeni-Yemeni political talks, under the auspices of the United Nations, are the vital next step.
It called on the parties to refrain from provocations, noting that the recent clashes in Marib and Shabwa had dire humanitarian consequences that led to the displacement of 10,000 people.
She stressed that the need for an effective humanitarian response remains essential, especially with the still large funding gap, calling for more ambition in addressing the recommendations contained in the inter-agency humanitarian assessment. She urged authorities across Yemen to allow unfettered humanitarian access, and joined Madawi's call for the immediate end to obstacles to independent evaluation and monitoring, fair selection of service providers, and free movement of Yemeni aid workers in the north. The United Nations, donors and local authorities need to step up their work together to effectively address the needs of people in Yemen.
Turning to the threat posed by the Safer, she warned that the costs of inaction would destroy marine life and coastal livelihoods, disrupt life-saving humanitarian assistance for 17 million people and cost the global economy billions in lost trade every day. She confirmed that Britain will participate, on May 4, in hosting the pledging conference with the Netherlands, in partnership with the United Nations, to fill the shortfall and provide a long-term solution for Yemen.
America: The recent attacks in Taiz and Marib threaten positive progress
The representative of the United States of America, Jeffrey DiLaurentis, spoke, praising the continuation of the armistice and the efforts of the UN envoy to Yemen. He said: It is encouraging that the terms of the truce have largely continued to hold and we thank the Government of the Republic of Yemen for its restraint, particularly in the wake of the Houthi attacks, which this Council condemned earlier this month (April).
He added: Today, there are more reasons for optimism. We welcome great efforts
Efforts to achieve peace in Yemen, including the visit of the Saudi and Omani delegations to Sana'a, as well as the public commitment of the Government of the Republic of Yemen to take additional steps to achieve peace. We also welcome the release of nearly 900 prisoners from all sides of the conflict on 14-16 April.
These developments are important steps forward, building on the progress and intense negotiations of the past year. We recognize the strong support of regional partners: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman, as well as the unwavering dedication of the Office of the United Nations Special Envoy.
We call on the parties to seize this momentum and work to secure a new, more comprehensive agreement that paves the way for a Yemeni-Yemeni political process mediated by the United Nations. This is the only way to resolve the conflict in a lasting way and reverse the humanitarian crisis and economic pressure on Yemenis.
While we welcome recent efforts to promote regional de-escalation, only Yemenis can achieve lasting peace in Yemen. As such, we must focus on supporting UN efforts to bring the Yemeni parties together in an inclusive political process. We hope that this process will include meaningful input, from women and civil society leaders, and respond to Yemenis' calls for justice, accountability, and redress for human rights violations and abuses.
At this crucial stage in the negotiations, restraint is more important than ever.
The actions of the Houthis, such as the recent attacks in Taiz and Marib, threaten the positive progress we have seen and add to the suffering of Yemenis.
While there is welcome progress towards peace, we cannot neglect the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. There remains a huge shortfall in the humanitarian appeal, and we call on donors to close the funding gap.
We also remain concerned about restrictions on humanitarian access, including Houthi interference in independent assessments, monitoring visits, and contracting and bidding processes, as well as restrictions on women's freedom of movement. This intervention must end as it impedes the delivery of aid and prevents it from reaching the most vulnerable groups in Yemen.
Finally, Diluentes called on the Houthis to release the Yemeni employees of the US Embassy in Yemen who have been forcibly detained for 18 months.
"In the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, we call on the Houthis to release them immediately and unconditionally," he said.
France: The Houthis must act responsibly
Alexandre Olmedo, representative of the French Republic, welcomed the current positive progress and confidence-building between the parties and called on the Security Council to remain vigilant. He said it was necessary to turn the truce into a permanent cessation of hostilities, calling on the Houthis to act responsibly. He expressed support for UN mechanisms that facilitate confidence-building, and praised the efforts of Saudi Arabia and Oman, as well as other regional actors. He also praised the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to secure a peace plan, and said that the interests of all Yemeni people must be taken into account.
He also called for the full, equal, meaningful and effective participation of Yemeni women in political negotiations.
He added that only a permanent political settlement could facilitate tangible improvements in the economic situation in Yemen, as well as alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
He reiterated his concern about the deteriorating working conditions and safety of humanitarian workers, and called for an end to the imposition of male guardianship obligations on female humanitarian workers.
China: Marib and Taiz attacks have recently made the security situation very fraught
Geng Shuang of the People's Republic of China, expressed support for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to promote peace talks, and called on all parties in Yemen to prioritize the interests of their people by making decisive political decisions and meeting each other halfway. He welcomed the exchange of detainees between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, expressing his hope that the two sides would steadily push forward follow-up work and inject positive energy into the political process.
While noting that the security situation in Yemen has recently become very charged, he expressed his concern about the escalation of military operations in Ma'rib and Taiz. He called on all parties to the conflict to exercise calm and restraint and avoid taking provocative actions that undermine mutual trust, and said it was necessary to prevent further deterioration and provide favorable conditions for a political settlement of the Yemeni issue.
He stressed that the humanitarian situation in Yemen is still dire, pointing to the worsening acute malnutrition, with more than two-thirds of the population living below the poverty line. The international community must increase humanitarian and development assistance to Yemen and provide adequate funding for UN operations in that country.
He pointed out the need to lift unreasonable restrictions on Yemen, pointing to the need to start transporting crude oil from the Safer tanker. He stated that the replacement tanker had sailed to the Red Sea after being refitted in China, expressing the hope that relevant budget funds would be available as soon as possible.
Russia: We have a plan to create a system of collective security in the Gulf region
Vasily A. Nebenzya, representative of the Russian Federation, and President of the Security Council for the month of April, speaking in his national capacity, noted that we are witnessing a turning point for this long-suffering country. All sides are clearly striving to avoid another large-scale escalation and are genuinely interested in normalization. But he added that this was a slow and fragile process and it was necessary for the parties to be willing to engage in mutual concessions.
He said: All influential political stakeholders in the country should maintain a constructive stance. He touched on the progress made in the exchange of prisoners, welcomed what was achieved by the United Nations Special Envoy in late March, and urged Yemeni stakeholders to intensify negotiations to continue resolving issues related to forcibly detained persons. He said that tangible progress in this direction was necessary to facilitate confidence-building.
Highlighting the common goal of achieving a comprehensive long-term settlement of the chronic problems in Yemen, which have spilled over into neighboring countries, he said: “We remain frustrated by the constant focus of a number of colleagues in the Security Council on the need to renew the export of Yemeni oil. Time is not appropriate now to advance the national agenda despite the desire of some parties to continue exploiting the country's resources," referring to the existence of a Russian plan to establish a system of collective security in the Arab Gulf region.
UAE: A roadmap for peace based on national dialogue must be developed
Mohammed Issa Abu Shihab, representative of the United Arab Emirates on the council, expressed his support for the ongoing Saudi mediation efforts, and welcomed Oman's sincere efforts to achieve reconciliation. He said: The success of these efforts should lead to a new phase of peace and prosperity in Yemen, welcoming the recent release of the abductees, which brings new hope to the humanitarian, economic and political tracks.
He added that this step should open the door to the possibility of releasing all prisoners on the basis of the principle of "all for all" that was agreed upon in Stockholm. He praised the efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy and the International Committee of the Red Cross to achieve this, and expressed his appreciation for the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to unilaterally release 104 Houthi prisoners.
Abu Shihab stressed the importance of developing a road map for peace that would launch a national dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations, and said that it is very important to prioritize the needs of the Yemeni people. He stressed that with the passage of a year of relative calm in Yemen, his country will support regional and international efforts to find a solution to the crisis in that country. He called for an increased focus on the humanitarian crisis, and called on the Houthis to lift all restrictions imposed on humanitarian organizations, including those targeting women.
Japan: Creating resilient institutions is vital to economic stability
The representative of Japan, Shino Mitsuko, said that the continued participation of the parties to the conflict and regional states can help build confidence and pave the way for meaningful dialogue towards lasting peace in Yemen. It condemned the military escalation of the Houthis and stressed that there is no military solution in Yemen. She stressed that the role of the Special Envoy is indispensable in achieving a permanent ceasefire and finding a comprehensive political solution to the conflict, stressing that in any such solution, the interest of the Yemeni people is paramount.
She noted that despite today's promising updates, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen still exists, calling for unhindered humanitarian aid operations to help those in need.
Moreover, without resolving the landmine problem, people's lives in Yemen are still threatened, she added, noting that the Yemeni government is implementing the necessary structural reforms to strengthen economic institutions, and stressed that the establishment of resilient institutions is vital to achieving long-term economic stability in the country. She stated that Japan continues to exert diplomatic efforts, provide humanitarian assistance and support capacity building to achieve peace and stability in Yemen.
Brazil: We call on everyone to exercise restraint, especially the Houthis
Noting the positive developments in the region, including the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, João Gencio de Almeida Filho, Brazil's representative on the Security Council, congratulated China on its successful efforts in brokering the agreement.
Referring to the recent military escalation in the governorates of Shabwa and Marib, he called on all parties, especially the Houthis, to exercise restraint and commit to de-escalation to prevent a return to the tragedy of all-out war.
He stressed that lasting peace in Yemen can only be achieved through dialogue and settlement and not through force, calling once again for a cease-fire agreement in Yemen.
He said: The path to reconciliation must also include a comprehensive plan for economic reconstruction, which should involve rebuilding the country's infrastructure, strengthening local industries, and ensuring that all Yemenis have access to basic services and opportunities for a better life.
The international community plays a critical role in supporting these efforts and providing the necessary resources and expertise to help the country meet its challenges and achieve sustainable growth and development. Expressing concern about the protracted humanitarian crisis in Yemen, he said international cooperation is essential to help build resilient agricultural systems that can support long-term food security and provide the foundation for the country's development.
Switzerland: All sides must exercise restraint
Pascale-Christine Bereswil of Switzerland welcomed the prisoner exchange negotiated in her country, which she described as not only an important confidence-building measure between parties to the conflict, but also a sign of renewed optimism for hundreds of families in Yemen. "It's impossible to get tired of pictures of a father holding his son, or a brother seeing his family again after more than five years," she said.
Against this background, the peace talks in Sana'a are a positive milestone that should pave the way for a comprehensive political settlement under the auspices of the United Nations. She stressed that there was still a long way to go to resolve the conflict in Yemen, and urged the parties to quickly find concrete solutions that would benefit the entire population. It condemned the excessive restrictions faced by humanitarian workers, including women, and called on all parties to facilitate the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in need. She also expressed concern about the recent escalation of violence, particularly in Marib and Shabwa, and urged the parties to exercise restraint.
The truce agreed a year ago strengthened the protection of civilians. However, efforts must be made to ensure that those responsible for all violations of international humanitarian law are prosecuted and held accountable.
She welcomed the progress made in implementing the safer rescue plan, in particular the fact that the replacement vessel, the Nautica, had sailed into the Red Sea. While this is a major step, $29 million is still needed to complete the first phase of the process, as you noted.
Ecuador: Yemen needs strong state institutions to stimulate the economy and development
Monica Soledad Sanchez Izquierdo, representative of Ecuador, said that the renewed momentum at the local, regional and international level has revived hopes for a comprehensive agreement in Yemen with a commitment to democracy, good governance and reconciliation.
She noted that the release of 900 political prisoners is one of the tangible results of the dialogue process, expressing her hope that more people deprived of their liberty will be released.
She echoed the call for the removal of barriers to humanitarian access in line with international law.
She stressed that the situation in the country is fragile and that there are still great risks, calling on all parties to work together to end hostilities. It also urged an inclusive political transition to deal with humanitarian assistance needs, reduce security threats and create strong state institutions that make it possible to reinvigorate the economy, investment and development.
She noted that the full participation of women is critical to this end. It welcomed the fact that the Safer tanker situation had been resolved. Regarding effective humanitarian access, she said that the primary driver for reaching a lasting peace agreement is that 21.6 million Yemenis depend on humanitarian aid to survive.
Ghana: The economy must be supported and dependence on external humanitarian support reduced
Harold Adlai Agyeman, Ghana's representative on the Security Council, also speaking on behalf of Gabon and Mozambique, welcomed the renewed optimism surrounding the ongoing negotiations to find a solution to the Yemeni conflict. However, he emphasized that sustainable solutions to the conflict lie firmly in the hands of the Yemeni people, calling for an inclusive Yemeni-led political process that would achieve a lasting solution to the conflict.
In this context, he praised the release of nearly 900 conflict-related detainees this April as part of the implementation of the agreement reached by the two parties in Geneva in March.
He continued: Lasting peace in Yemen requires pursuing a comprehensive political process that takes into account all segments of the population, including women. Despite the recent positive developments, he expressed concern about the ongoing Houthi provocations, including the military escalation in Marib and Shabwa and the targeting of senior Yemeni government officials in Taiz.
The representative of Ghana called for increased international support to bridge the funding gap needed to effectively address the humanitarian crisis facing the Yemeni people. He noted that the imposition of administrative and bureaucratic bottlenecks on the operations of humanitarian agencies affects the delivery of critical humanitarian aid to segments of Yemeni society, expressing particular concern that female humanitarian workers continue to be required to have male mahrams accompanying them in Houthi-controlled areas.
He said: The weak Yemeni economy must be supported to create viable opportunities to improve social and economic conditions and reduce the country's dependence on external humanitarian support. The risks posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war in Yemen must be addressed head-on to reduce the number of casualties associated with the threat. Moreover, special attention must be given to public care for children, who have been greatly affected by the war, noting that many children continue to live in deplorable conditions with no sanitation facilities and good water, exposing them to increased risks such as malnutrition, cholera and death due to common infectious disease.
Albania: Peace is the best alternative to war, no matter how difficult it is
Ferit Hokça, representative of Albania, began her speech by recalling how the truce in 2022, from April to October, had led to a drastic reduction in violence and opened a window of hope, and said that although it was not renewed, every step counted.
She stressed the importance of preserving hard-won gains, resuming flights to and from Sanaa, increasing port activity and exchanging prisoners. She noted that these positive developments help build confidence between the parties, and welcomed the fact that all parties have accepted that peace, however difficult, is the best alternative to war. It also welcomed the talks in Sana'a, praised the role played by Saudi Arabia and Oman, and called on the Houthis to engage in good faith. She said that a comprehensive settlement must include the participation of all factions of Yemeni civil society, calling on the Security Council to continue its support for that process.
She said the scars of nearly a decade of war are visible in the humanitarian crisis, adding that many more die in war while many more die because of war.
Malta: Landmines remain a major cause of civilian deaths
Vanessa Fraser, representing Malta, said that the agreement of the warring parties in Yemen on the military truce represents an important moment of hope and a decisive respite for Yemeni civilians suffering from the ravages of war. It noted that after the end of the truce, the Fundamental Principles continued to maintain relative calm across Yemen, and called on the parties to refrain from any escalation and engage in genuine dialogue for a lasting ceasefire.
Meanwhile, she warned that the humanitarian situation remains devastating for the country's civilian population, adding that humanitarian access continues to be hampered by bureaucratic restrictions, threatening the lives of millions of Yemenis who need urgent aid.
This includes delivering vaccines, especially to children, to ensure they avoid disease or death from preventable diseases such as measles and polio, she added. Moreover, the requirement of a male guardian imposed by the Houthis restricts the freedom of movement of Yemeni women and girls, as well as women humanitarian workers. On a positive note, she commended the release of nearly 900 conflict-related detainees over the weekend, expressing hope that the parties would honor their commitment to the Stockholm Agreement to release all conflict-related and arbitrary detainees.
She said Malta was also happy to see further developments regarding the UN-coordinated operation of the Safer oil tanker. It expressed concern about mines and explosive remnants of war, which remain one of the main causes of civilian deaths in Yemen, particularly among children, and called on the parties to stop the use of these indiscriminate weapons and support urgent efforts to clear mines.
Representative of the Republic of Yemen: A comprehensive assessment of the conflict must be conducted
In the session, the representative of the Republic of Yemen, Abdullah Ali Fadel Al-Saadi, said that all hopes for a previously negotiated armistice were dashed when the Houthi militia refused to extend the armistice in October 2022.
He added: The Yemeni government continues to implement all the terms of the humanitarian truce even after its expiration date. Meanwhile, the Houthi militia chose an unprecedented escalation, launched terrorist attacks on ports and economic facilities, and continued to threaten the safety and security of international navigation. Today, with the diplomatic momentum building, optimism is once again in the air in Yemen and conditions are now more favorable than ever for peace.
It is another opportunity to test the seriousness of the Houthi militia in achieving peace and ending the humanitarian crisis it caused.
He praised the continuous efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to alleviate human suffering and revive the peace process, and stressed that any initiative must be based on a comprehensive assessment of the conflict in Yemen, addressing its main causes and repercussions on the political, economic, social, and humanitarian fields.
Al-Saadi said, "We must break the cycle of violence," stressing the Yemeni government's commitment to ending the suffering of the people. He raised the alarm about the Houthi militia's blatant disregard for efforts to stop the combat escalation. In this context, he referred to the Houthi military escalation and the terrorist attack on March 25, 2023.
He continued: The Houthi militia continues to violate international human rights law and international humanitarian law on a daily basis, warning of the exhaustion of the capabilities of the Yemeni government, and of the national economy shrinking by 50 percent as a result of the war. He also reminded that the cost of the ongoing terrorist attacks launched by the Houthi militia on the country's ports and oil installations amounted to one billion dollars.
From this standpoint, he called on all parties to provide support to the Yemeni government to alleviate human suffering, overcome all economic and development challenges, and enhance public resources. He also stressed that the issue of detainees must remain a priority for the United Nations.
