YouSaid · the spoken record

Grundberg

lines on the record: 195
first: 2021-09-10
most recent: 2023-08-16
sittings or episodes: 18
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“I welcome the focus of the Council’s presidency on the crucial women and peace and security agenda, but we all need to do more. While developments on the ground pose significant challenges to peace efforts, my work continues along the path that I have set out before in the Council. I have explored tangible ways to address the parties’ stated priorities and to unlock a nationwide ceasefire to end the fighting. Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, the efforts have faced the same obstacles that hindered similar efforts in the past, that is, the parties’ disagreements over sequencing, competing priorities and a lack of trust. I remain convinced that part of the challenge is that the parties’ preconditions are linked to broader political and governance questions.”
2022-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8946 (2022) · source
“One part of the population that suffers particularly from such restrictions are Yemeni women. Moreover, despite their tireless efforts, women broadly continue to be excluded from decision-making in war and peace. My Office will continue to convene consultations with women leaders from political parties, civil society and the private sector. Those diverse women are all actively involved in sustaining and improving life in Yemen in different ways, from supporting their families and communities to working for peace or providing valuable services and goods. Unfortunately, many are harassed and targeted for their work, and I therefore urge all actors to respect the rights and work of women peace actors and women human rights defenders.”
2022-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8946 (2022) · source
“Ola Al-Aghbary is briefing the Council today. As I previously reported to the Council, I was in Ms. Al-Aghbary home city of Taiz in November. There I experienced first-hand the severe impact of road closures and checkpoints on the population. Similarly, the fact that the closure of Sana’a airport has prevented Yemenis in the north from travelling, including to seek life-saving medical care abroad for almost six years, is unsustainable. As Acting Assistant Secretary-General Rajasingham will elaborate on, the multilayered challenges surrounding the operations of Sana’a airport also have critical implications for United Nations operations. Yemeni, regional and international leaders all have a responsibility to address those matters for the sake of the entire Yemeni population. They have suffered enough from those restrictions.”
2022-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8946 (2022) · source
“I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the appointment of Major General Michael Beary as the new Head of UNMHA. His appointment offers an opportunity to build on those efforts, to address the parties’ concerns and to advance the Hodeidah Agreement in this shifted context. Let me reiterate that restrictions on the movement of goods and people are a challenge throughout Yemen. The continued imposition of road closures and checkpoints across the country, as well as the impediments to imports and the domestic distribution of goods essential for civilians, including fuel, is harming the population in unjustifiable ways. In that regard, I am concerned that the last fuel ship clearance was issued on 20 November 2021. As always, it will be Yemeni civilians who will be most affected by fuel shortages. I am glad that Ms.”
2022-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8946 (2022) · source
“The United Nations should have immediate access to those staff members and be provided with official information pertaining to the arrests. As the tempo of the war increases, the already severe restrictions on the movement of people and goods into and within the country could worsen. The accusations of a militarization of the ports of Al-Hudaydah are worrisome, and the threats of attacking them are equally disturbing, given that those ports are a lifeline for many Yemenis. The United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) is closely monitoring the situation in the ports and has requested, as part of its mandate, to undertake an inspection. Following the withdrawal of the joint forces on 12 November, the Mission continues to engage the parties and other interlocutors on the way forward.”
2022-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8946 (2022) · source
“Beyond my repeated calls for de-escalation and restraint, I also reiterate my appeal to the warring parties to respect and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, which include the protection of civilians and protected objects. I also call on all sides to preserve the civilian character of public infrastructure. We appear to once more be entering an escalatory cycle, with predictable devastating implications for civilians and for the immediate prospects of peace. I am worried that battles could intensify along other fronts. The recent seizure by Ansar Allah of an Emirati-flagged ship is another matter of concern. In addition, I regret to express yet again my concern over the continued detention of United Nations staff members in Sana’a and Ma’rib.”
2022-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8946 (2022) · source
“Before I turn to my core task of finding a way for political talks to sustainably end the conflict, I am compelled to highlight some of the military escalations in recent weeks, which have been among the worst we have seen in Yemen for years and which are taking an increasing toll on civilian lives. Ansar Allah remains determined to continue its assault of Ma’rib, and there is renewed fighting in Shabwah, where three districts have been captured from Ansar Allah. We have seen an increase in air strikes, not only around front lines but also in Sana’a, including in residential areas. Air strikes and shelling in Taiz have increased, and fighting continues in southern Al-Hudaydah. Similarly, attacks on Saudi Arabia have also increased. All those events have led to civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.”
2022-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8946 (2022) · source
“Mr. Grundberg: Let me first welcome the newly elected members of the Security Council. I look forward to close cooperation with them, as with all other members of the Council. The year 2022 is starting on a challenging note. The military escalation I described here in the Council last month (see S/PV.8929) has accelerated as the parties double-down on military options. Seven years down the road of war, the prevailing belief of all warring sides seems to be that inflicting sufficient harm on the other will force them into submission. However, there is no sustainable long-term solution to be found on the battlefield. I will therefore continue to stress that the warring parties can, should and, indeed, must talk, even if they are not ready to put down their arms.”
2022-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8946 (2022) · source
“As I alluded to in my introduction, I remain convinced that warring parties can, and indeed must, talk, even if they are not ready to put down their arms. Channels of communication should be open without precondition, and as a matter of priority. I will continue looking to the members of the Security Council to support United Nations efforts to establish an inclusive, comprehensive process for bringing this conflict finally to a just and sustainable end.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“The process should be designed in a way that allows for parallel progress on different agenda items of importance to Yemenis. It will address the parties’ stated priorities in the context of a broader agenda that represents the interests of diverse Yemenis. I want to initiate a comprehensive process that allows for incremental progress. Engagement on this process has already begun, involving a wide range of Yemeni stakeholders, including the conflict parties, and it will be intensified. Clearly this work is challenged by the intensification of the military conflict. However, military escalation should not be allowed to stop this process, and in fact it makes the work that we are doing all the more essential.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“External actors have a responsibility to support Yemenis as they discuss and build consensus on peaceful solutions. They need to take concrete actions that support the peace process and broader stability. The support of the Security Council will be critical. Based on these conclusions, I am envisaging an inclusive Yemeni-owned and internationally supported political process. The process should support near-term solutions to de-escalate the violence, prevent further economic deterioration and mitigate the impact of the conflict on civilians. It should also identify and build consensus around the elements of a political settlement that sustainably ends the war, establishes inclusive governance arrangements and ensures Yemenis’ civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“As the conflict intensifies, and from my discussions with Yemenis and others over the past three months, I am convinced of the need for a comprehensive approach and have drawn a number of conclusions about the way forward. First, piecemeal solutions can at best only provide temporary relief. They will not produce sustainable peace. Immediate needs and priorities must be addressed within the context of a process that is geared towards a comprehensive political settlement. Secondly, a solution will not be sustainable if it does not represent the interests of diverse Yemenis, both those who are involved in the fighting and those who are not. We need to work towards a just and sustainable peace, and not merely the absence of war. Thirdly, structured and coordinated international and regional support is essential for this process.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“Given that the parties have not met to discuss a broader set of issues for over five years, establishing a renewed political process is a complicated task. The conflict has continued unabated since the talks in Kuwait in 2016, and the gaps between the parties have only widened. In order to have constructive talks about the way forward, some common understandings should be reached. On this note, I would like to reiterate that a serious commitment to peace requires, at a minimum, granting unconditional and regular access to the Envoy. All communication channels need to be kept open if we are to have any chance of finding a durable solution to this conflict.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“An understandable sense of frustration and despair has been evident in my conversations, as past attempts at finding solutions have not delivered the desired results. The other aim of the beginning of my tenure has been to establish close relations of trust with Member States in the region to seek their support for a political process. I have also engaged members of the Security Council on these matters and am grateful for the support expressed for my efforts. The efforts of the past years to reach an agreement based on the conflict parties’ preconditions have not yet delivered, and my view is that this is partly due to the fact that the parties’ conditions are tied up in political questions that can only be addressed through more comprehensive talks. Let us therefore be frank.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“As a final point with regard to the latest developments, I would like to add my disappointment about the detention of United Nations staff members that Assistant Secretary-General Ramesh Rajasingham will comment on in his briefing. Allow me now to come back to my engagement so far, and the conclusions I draw from them. I have devoted these first three months of my tenure to efforts set forth in the outline I presented at my first briefing to the Council (see S/PV.8854). The primary aim has been to engage with a diverse array of Yemenis on how to reverse the current escalatory trajectory and start a political process. This effort has included numerous meetings, both inside Yemen and in the region. The discussions have often been difficult, which highlights both the complexities and the gravity of the conflict.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“In Taiz, I heard about and saw first-hand how road closures and checkpoints hinder civilians’ ability to seek medical care, education and trade opportunities. The roads must be opened. Similarly, Sana’a airport must reopen. Impediments to imports and the domestic distribution of fuel also continue to cause hardship for civilians and should be removed, including by, but not limited to, lifting restrictions on Al-Hudaydah port. Movement of people and goods is not a geographically isolated problem. It is a serious issue across the country that needs to be addressed by the conflict parties and supported by the international community.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“The Government of Yemen has recently undertaken some reforms, including with respect to the Board of Governors of the Central Bank in Aden. I hope these steps will open the door for further badly needed reforms. There is an urgency to address the economic needs of the country as a whole, and for that we need genuine engagement from the Yemeni stakeholders and close coordination within the international community to find solutions. On the subject of massive challenges Yemenis face in going about their daily lives, I regret to have to highlight yet again how restrictions of freedom of movement for both people and goods continue to impose significant hardship on the Yemeni population, especially women.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“Inflation still poses a challenge and people need salaries. The cost of transferring Yemeni rials from Aden to Sana’a has soared, placing immense burdens on the private sector and on people supporting families in various parts of the country. In recent informal consultations with Yemeni businesswomen, they described the severe challenges they are facing in conducting business. I would like to remind everyone of the drastic regression of women’s rights as a result of the conflict — a situation that is made even worse by the economic collapse. As will also be underscored by Assistant Secretary- General Ramesh Rajasingham, there is an urgent need for economic de-escalation and wide reforms to improve livelihoods, lower the cost of goods and protect the currency.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“In that respect, we have seen the rising number of detainees held by the parties to the conflict. My Office remains in regular contact with the parties in order to convene them and facilitate the fulfilment of their obligations to release all conflict- related detainees, as per the commitments under the Stockholm Agreement. Allow me to highlight a topic that continues to top the agenda of all my Yemeni interlocutors — the economy. I heard a strong sense of frustration and despair in Aden, Taiz and everywhere I met with Yemeni men and women. In Aden and the surrounding governorates, the value of the Yemeni rial reached an unprecedented low against foreign currencies, further depleting people’s purchasing power. The exchange rate is more controlled in Sana’a, but the economic hardship is severe.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“I am alarmed by the military escalation by all sides of the conflict in Yemen. The increased use of artillery, missiles and air strikes endanger civilian lives, infrastructure and services. I am also concerned about attacks against Saudi Arabia, targeting civilians and commercial infrastructure. The summary execution on the west coast of 10 individuals belonging to local security forces on 13 November, which the United Nations has condemned, is another example of the worrying disregard of international law in this conflict. I therefore reiterate that wars do have rules. All actors in the conflict, whether directly or engaged or in a supporting role, are accountable and have obligations under international humanitarian law. That includes the protection of civilians and the humane treatment of prisoners of war.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“As confrontations on the west coast temporarily took centre stage, the pivotal battle for Ma’rib continued. Fighting has intensified, with Ansar Allah renewing its push for the city and oil fields in the governorate and the coalition increasing its air strikes in support of the Government of Yemen. I remain concerned about the possibility of urban warfare in the city, which would have terrible consequences for the civilians. Ansar Allah’s offensive on Ma’rib is having worrying ripple effects across other front lines. In my meetings with the parties, I have stressed the urgent need for the escalation and immediate measures to protect civilians. But the intensification of the fighting and shifting front lines is endangering civilians and, in many cases, forcing them to flee for a second or even a third time.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“Before continuing to elaborate on my engagements and conclusions, allow me first to recapitulate some of the major events since my last briefing. In Al-Hudaydah, on 12 November, the joint forces affiliated with the Government of Yemen evacuated their positions from large parts of the governorate. Ansar Allah forces immediately took control of most of the vacated areas. That led to a major shift of the front line in the governorate. In the first two weeks following the withdrawal, the new front lines in the southern districts of Al-Hudaydah were highly contested, with the parties employing heavy artillery and air strikes. While hostilities have seen a noticeable decline since the start of the month, the impact on civilians has been of concern, with reports of civilian casualties and thousands of displaced families since the withdrawal.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“Mr. Grundberg: As I recently expressed in my call for restraint, I am deeply alarmed by the ongoing military escalation and continued violence in Yemen. Since I last addressed the Security Council (see S/PV.8878), the conflict has escalated considerably. There is a risk that this could open a new chapter of war in Yemen that is even more fragmented and bloody. That risk is acknowledged by a wide range of Yemeni and regional interlocutors. Yet, even as the parties to the conflict all profess to me their desire for peace, the focus remains on military options. I have been clear that military options will not result in sustainable solutions. Restraint, de-escalation and dialogue are urgently needed now.”
2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source
“The past weeks have illustrated the tension between the pace of the war and the economic collapse, on the one hand, and the time needed to devise and consult on a feasible way forward, on the other. My aim is to forge agreement on a way forward. Such an agreement will require support from members of the Security Council, States of the region and the broader international community. I also count on the Council’s support in reinforcing to the warring parties that it is their responsibility to meet, and seriously engage, with each other under the auspices of the United Nations.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8878 (2021) · source
“Looking forward, a comprehensive negotiated political settlement is needed to end the violence once and for all. Critical political, security and economic priorities will need to be addressed. A comprehensive political settlement should aim to restore and reunite State institutions and pave the way for economic recovery and development. In order to sustain peace in the long term, the need for accountable governance, justice, accountability and the rule of law cannot be ignored, and neither can the promotion and protection of Yemenis’ full range of human rights. I will continue my consultations with Yemenis and others on the way forward towards an inclusive political settlement. Let us not fool ourselves — this will be a labourious and complicated task that will take time, but it must take place.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8878 (2021) · source
“In Al-Hudaydah, the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) continues its tireless efforts to engage the parties in order to reactivate the work of the Redeployment Coordination Committee. The United Nations urges the parties to recommit to the Committee without delay, as it remains the only viable framework to ensure sustained de-escalation, mitigate the impact of violence on civilians and alleviate the humanitarian situation. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the contributions of Lieutenant General Guha, who completed his tenure as Head of UNMHA at the beginning of this month. He worked to support the parties in their implementation of the Hodeidah Agreement under challenging political and logistical circumstances, and he deserves our gratitude and appreciation.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8878 (2021) · source
“However, sustainable improvements will not be possible unless political actors work together across political divides. In Aden, I also took the time to listen to the many views that Yemenis in the south presented to me. As I stated in my first briefing, those cannot be ignored, and such discussions will have to continue. Similarly, I therefore stressed to the Government of Yemen and the Southern Transitional Council the importance of implementing the Riyadh agreement to regain stability in the southern governorates. Recent serious security incidents across the south, including an assassination attempt on Government officials, are illustrations of an untenable situation.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8878 (2021) · source
“The lack of accountability and impunity has diminished Yemenis’ faith in the possibility of peaceful co-existence and a future in which the rights of all Yemenis will be respected. In that context, it is unfortunate that the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen was not renewed. Nevertheless, the United Nations will continue to press for accountability in Yemen. Last week I visited Aden, where I met with Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek Saeed, local officials and representatives of various political components, as well as civil society members and women’s rights advocates. I welcomed the Prime Minister’s return to Aden as an important step towards enhancing the functioning of State institutions and their ability to address the urgent need for economic recovery and the delivery of basic services.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8878 (2021) · source
“The Secretary-General himself is closely following the developments in Abdiyah. I reiterate the United Nations call on all parties to facilitate safe, timely and sustained humanitarian access to the affected areas. I am also deeply concerned about the military developments and incidents elsewhere in Yemen. Continued fighting increases the likelihood of civilian injury and death from indirect fire, missiles and air strikes. I call on all parties to de-escalate. The conflict continues to leave a tragic and widespread legacy of human rights violations. In recent weeks, we have seen public executions, enforced disappearances, killings and the use of live ammunition against protesters in several areas of the country.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8878 (2021) · source
“Since my previous briefing, the military escalation on the ground has taken an alarming turn. Ma’rib and its surroundings, including Shabwa and Al-Bayda, remain the epicentre of the war. As we will hear from my colleague Acting Assistant Secretary- General Rajasingham, the situation is getting worse for civilians every day, with thousands forced to flee in search of safety in recent weeks. I remind all parties to the conflict of their obligations to abide by international humanitarian law and to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. The encirclement of Abdiyah district, in southern Ma’rib, has persisted for almost a month, leaving thousands of people in a desperate situation. As repeatedly stated in the Security Council, Ansar Allah’s military escalation in Ma’rib must stop.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8878 (2021) · source
“I have also been clear in my conversations that measures to mitigate the immediate impact of the conflict on civilians are of paramount importance. Salaries need to be paid, roads in Taiz, Ma’rib and elsewhere need to be opened. Restrictions on the import of fuel and goods through Al-Hudaydah port must end, and fuel needs to be available for civilian use without restrictions. Sana’a airport needs to open for civilian traffic. Those steps can tangibly improve the lives of Yemenis in the immediate term. The responsibility for addressing those urgent matters lies with the parties. I hope that they will receive firm encouragement from the international community, particularly Member States of the region, in that regard. The United Nations is ready to do its part.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8878 (2021) · source
“The issue of the sequencing of possible interim steps remains a preoccupation that overshadows the need to start discussing the parameters for an overall political settlement of the conflict. My view, which I have shared with them, is that while interim progress should be made on urgent humanitarian and economic matters, a durable solution can be achieved only through a comprehensive negotiated political settlement. I have been clear in all my engagements that there should be no preconditions for those urgent political talks and that humanitarian measures should not be used as political leverage. Dialogue and compromise represent the only sustainable way forward. On my end, I remain at the disposal of those who wish to engage in it.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8878 (2021) · source
“Youth representatives from across Yemen emphasized to me the role of the new generation as a driver of positive political change. In my meetings with Yemeni women, their determination to have a say in shaping the future of their country is unwavering and must have our full support. From inclusion in political talks to the lifting of roadblocks that impede their full participation in civic, political and economic life, the rightful demands of Yemeni women and youth should be met by all parties to the conflict. It is no secret that there are differences among the Yemenis I have been engaging with. The gap in trust between warring parties is wide and growing. I met with the Government of Yemen in Riyadh and Aden, and with Ansar Allah in Muscat.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8878 (2021) · source
“Yemenis of all perspectives also acknowledged that their country cannot be effectively ruled by one group alone and that a durable peace will require pluralism. The Yemeni men and women whom I met shared with me their concerns about the long-term consequences of the conflict. They see a systematic erosion of their fundamental rights as well as of State institutions. They are worried about a whole generation of children traumatized by war and lacking in basic education. Since the onset of the conflict, civilian infrastructure has been damaged, and repair is likely to take decades. Ending the war is therefore only a first but an essential step in a long recovery that includes healing the societal wounds that are deepening with each day the conflict continues. There is nevertheless hope, which must continue to build on.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8878 (2021) · source
“Mr. Grundberg: Since I briefed the Council last month (see S/PV.8854), I have conducted numerous consultations with Yemeni, regional and international actors. In all those discussions, I focused on the question of how to move towards a sustainable political solution to end the conflict. I asked my interlocutors to assess what has and has not worked in the past and for their views on the way forward. Member States reiterated their support for the efforts of the United Nations, for which I am grateful. In my conversations, Yemenis without exception stressed the need to end the war. They also highlighted the urgency of addressing economic and humanitarian concerns, including stabilizing the economy, improving the delivery of basic services and facilitating freedom of movement within as well as in and out of the country.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8878 (2021) · source
“My first consultations with Yemeni, regional and international actors will soon start. I will shortly travel to Riyadh to meet with President Hadi Mansour and other members of the Government of Yemen. I also look forward to meeting with the Ansar Allah leadership and other Sana’a-based actors, as well as other political actors throughout Yemen. And I plan to meet with regional leaders in Riyadh, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Tehran, Cairo and elsewhere. My Office and I stand ready to spend as much time in Yemen and with Yemenis as possible. I will return to the Security Council each month to reflect frankly and openly on those discussions. And I will seek Council members’ tangible and coordinated support to take my mandate forward.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8854 (2021) · source
“Nonetheless, I will spare no effort in trying to bring together actors across conflict lines to engage Yemenis from all political perspectives and societal components and from all parts of the country to discuss, under United Nations auspices, how they can find common ground and resolve their differences without resorting to force. I will be guided in that effort by the mandate given to me by the Security Council through its relevant resolutions. We all have a shared responsibility in our different capacities for ending the conflict in Yemen. The beginning of my tenure should therefore be used as a moment to reassess our respective responsibilities. The initiatives from Yemen’s neighbours and members of the Security Council in support of the United Nations efforts have been appreciated and will need to be stepped up.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8854 (2021) · source
“My Office and I will do our utmost to ensure the meaningful participation of women in all aspects of our engagement and to integrate gender perspectives across all issues. As we will also hear from my colleague from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the rights of Yemeni women and girls are overlooked, if not ignored. The United Nations is obligated to strive for a peace that not only ends the violence, but also a sustainable peace that protects the full range of their civil and political, as well as economic, social and cultural rights. A peace that ensures accountability, good governance and State institutions that serve all citizens equitably. We are clearly a long way off from that today.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8854 (2021) · source
“By now it should be obvious that the peace process has stalled for too long. The parties to the conflict have not discussed a comprehensive settlement since 2016. That has left Yemenis stuck in an indefinite state of war with no clear way forward. It is therefore long overdue for the parties to the conflict to engage in peaceful dialogue with one another, under United Nations facilitation, the terms of an overarching settlement, in good faith and without preconditions. The United Nations approach to ending the conflict must be inclusive. To define the best way forward, I intend to assess past efforts, identify what has worked and what has not, and listen to as many Yemeni men and women as possible. The way forward must be guided by the aspirations of the Yemeni people.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8854 (2021) · source
“Yemenis all over the country live with severe limitations on their freedom of movement and of the movement of essential goods due to ongoing fighting, checkpoints and road, port and airport restrictions. The Organization’s position remains unchanged — the freedom of movement of people and goods in and out, as well as throughout the country, should be guaranteed. Roads must be opened to allow people and goods to move in and out of Taiz. Sana’a airport needs to be open for commercial traffic. Restrictions on the import of fuel and goods through Al-Hudaydah port must end. There is a continuous need for close coordination among all members of the United Nations family, the broader international community and the parties to the conflict to appropriately address those issues.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8854 (2021) · source
“The fighting must stop; the violence has to come to an end. In that regard, it is also vital that external actors encourage de-escalation. Their involvement should be based on supporting a Yemeni- led political settlement. A peaceful and stable Yemen is essential for the stability of the entire region. From unrelenting violence to fuel and electricity shortages to surging food prices, every detail of daily life in Yemen is somehow tied to difficult political questions that demand a comprehensive resolution. State institutions have split apart, hobbling the economy and leaving citizens and businesses to navigate dizzying and often contradictory administrative requirements. Economic warfare by all sides is sowing devastating long-term consequences for the Yemeni State and its people.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8854 (2021) · source
“The situation in the southern governorates, where there have been regular flare-ups of violence, is also deeply worrisome. Basic services and the economy have deteriorated into a desperate state. The implementation of the Riyadh agreement continues to face challenges, and the Government is not performing its functions from Aden. In that context, the impact of the conflict on the diverse range of grievances and demands in the southern governorates cannot be ignored. Peace in Yemen is not sustainable in the long term if southern voices do not play a part in shaping it responsibly. The conflict in Yemen is also spilling across borders, threatening regional security and international waterways. I am particularly concerned about the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure inside of Saudi Arabia.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8854 (2021) · source
“Since early 2020, the focus has been on Ansar Allah’s sustained offensive on Ma’rib governorate, in which thousands of young Yemenis have lost their lives. Civilians, including the many internally displaced persons who sought refuge in Ma’rib, live in constant fear of violence and renewed displacement. The United Nations and the international community have been clear in its message — the offensive must stop. In Al-Hudaydah, the city continues to experience a noticeable decline in ceasefire violations, while hostilities in the southern districts of the governorate are of particular concern. The United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement continues its vital work, including to urge the parties to come together through joint dialogue in order to define a sustained way forward.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8854 (2021) · source
“I am therefore under no illusions about the difficulty of the task handed to me by the Council. Enabling a resumption of a peaceful, inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led political transition process that meets the legitimate demands and aspirations of the Yemeni people, as mandated by the Council, will not be easy. There are no quick wins. The current armed conflict has continued unabated for over six years. Civilians, including many children, have been killed, displaced and impoverished. Civilian infrastructure has been targeted. Armed actors have detained, abducted and forcibly disappeared people with impunity. Gender-based violence has increased significantly. The epicentre of the military confrontation has shifted over time, with combatants taking turns on the offensive.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8854 (2021) · source
“Mr. Grundberg: I am honoured to have been appointed the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, a position I started four days ago. I appreciate the expressions of support from Yemenis and the international community, including Security Council members. I am also grateful to the previous Special Envoys, who have made considerable efforts to end the conflict. I started working on Yemen over a decade ago. Yemen is a country of massive potential, situated at the gateway between Asia and Europe, between the Gulf of Aden and Africa. Yemen’s impressive history of commerce, cultural richness and diversity is something I continue to admire. However, my experience with Yemen also makes me painfully aware of the complexities of this conflict. Unfortunately, those complexities multiply as the conflict drags on.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8854 (2021) · source