Statement delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana on behalf of the A3+ at the United Nations Security Council Briefing on the situation in Yemen
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the members of the A3+ namely, Algeria, Sierra Leone, Mozambique and my country Guyana.
I want to welcome and thank UN Special Envoy Mr. Hans Grundberg and OCHA Director of Operations and Advocacy, Ms. Edem Wosornu for their in -depth and valuable briefings on the situation in Yemen. We also welcome the participation of the representative of Yemen in this meeting.
The A3+ recognizes the positive engagement and support and commitment of the Government of Yemen to the international and regional efforts to end the conflict and resume the political process under the auspices of the UN.
The situation in Yemen requires collective effort to consolidate the commitment and support from the United Nations system and regional actors in their pursuit of a comprehensive and lasting peace.
In this vein, we welcome the appointment of Mr. Julien Harneis as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Yemen and the new Humanitarian Coordinator in the country.
The People of Yemen deserve peace, security and stability in advancing their Political and Economic future.
The facilitating role of the UN Special Envoy and the efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman aiming to facilitate the resumption of an intra-Yemeni political process under the auspices of the United Nations, is vital to ensure an inclusive political process in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions. We, therefore, welcome and express our full support for his ongoing consultations with all relevant parties and stakeholders as part of the framework for a comprehensive peace process.
The A3+ wishes to stress the importance of preserving the recent commitments announced by the parties in December 2023 and the ongoing discussions around a UN Roadmap that would operationalize a nationwide ceasefire, resume an inclusive political process under UN auspices, and address key priorities for the benefit of the Yemeni people.
Further, we stress the importance for the parties to provide the space for the full, effective and meaningful participation of Yemeni women and civil society in all stages of the peace process, noting their long-demonstrated willingness and capacity to engage in national efforts, at all levels, to resolve the conflict.
The A3+ call upon the Houthis to adhere to the peace process in the country and sustain the goal of maintaining a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in the country. Maintaining a comprehensive ceasefire built on the truce of April 2022 would stimulate and bring sanity to the peace process itself and other relevant layers complimentary to the peace process. In this vein, we urge the Houthis to cease hostilities and to refrain from threatening commercial vessels and endangering international navigation and innocent lives.
After nine years of conflict, the humanitarian needs in Yemen remain immense. A political agreement, leading to sustainable peace, is the only long-term solution to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
The A3+ expresses its deepest concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in the country, which is seriously affecting women and children. The conflict has impacted humanitarian relief and destroyed critical civilian infrastructures such as hospitals, schools and health clinics, while inflicting death on many. We call on the responsible parties to remove the barriers affecting humanitarian aid flows and the ability of humanitarian workers to perform their duties.
We note that 18.2 million Yemeni people will need humanitarian assistance and protection services in 2024, with 17.6 million facing food and nutrition insecurity. In this vein, we would welcome the resumption of food supplies to the country by the World Food Program and call on the parties concerned to support WFP in this endeavour.
The A3+ stresses that the parties have a legal obligation to ensure that humanitarian personnel are allowed to carry out their work unhindered and free from harm. Hostage-taking and other threats to their existence and ability to effectively carry out their duties, including by denying their freedom of movement, must cease. We strongly call for the release of all humanitarian workers and for an immediate end to all forms of intimidation employed to discourage them from carrying out their vital work.
The crisis in Yemen has raged on for too long, tearing apart the fabric of the nation. On one side, forces loyal to the internationally recognized government fight to maintain order, while on the other, Houthi challenge this authority, controlling significant swathes of territory, including the capital, Sanaa. This relentless conflict has left behind a trail of destruction, displacement, and despair.
We wish to spotlight the urgent need for funding in support of humanitarian operations. It is concerning to us that the humanitarian funding portfolio has yet to achieve its desired target. We therefore call on international partners and donors to make meaningful contributions to the fund. The support from member states would sustain the lives of millions of Yemenis who are in need. Funding must also go beyond humanitarian assistance to include the development programs in Yemen. Together we can continue to support the resilient people of Yemen and take decisive steps towards resolving what remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
The continued deterioration and downward trend of the situation in Yemen including the humanitarian crisis, the staggering economic conditions together with the actions perpetrated by the Houthis must be addressed. We urge the Houthis to refrain from using arbitrary measures that could exacerbate the suffering of the population.
The A3+ expresses concern over the growing escalation of the use of force in the region in a situation that is already volatile. The continued attacks on Yemeni soil will affect humanitarian aid and further worsen the security situation in the country. The spate of airstrikes risk endangering the peace talks and the renewed commitment made by the parties. We urge due caution in avoiding any action that could undermine or derail the efforts of the Special Envoy toward the goal of achieving comprehensive and lasting peace in Yemen, under the auspices of the United Nations. We urge all involved to exercise maximum restraint and to prioritize diplomatic channels over military options and call for de-escalation.
It is imperative to underscore that the Middle East region is at a crossroad with the current situation in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria escalating to a point where regional spillover from the conflict in Gaza could become a reality. It is prudent for all parties to exercise restraint and abstain from further escalating tensions. A wider regional conflagration in the immediate circumstance must be prevented by all means necessary and diplomatic efforts in resolving the ongoing situation should be ramped up.
We urge for maximum restraint and urgent steps for the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Further, we reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza which is of paramount importance to ensure regional stability.
The stability and security in the region must be of utmost priority. The root causes of the conflict in the region need to be addressed and all efforts in this regard must be pursued with equal attention, dedication and commitment. We must use all existing diplomatic tools and mediation processes to secure the release of hostages and all civilians who remain in captivity and collectively achieve a humanitarian ceasefire to end the conflict in Gaza.
The A3+ reiterates it support for an inclusive nationally led and owned political process under the auspices of the United Nations with the clear goal of reaching a lasting and comprehensive peace in Yemen. We reaffirm our strong support and commitment to the work of the United Nations Special Envoy and the Good Offices of the UN Secretary General and the efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman aiming to facilitate the resumption of an intra-Yemeni political process in attaining security, stability and lasting peace in Yemen.
I thank you
