Security Council Press Statement on Situation in Yemen

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President José Filipe Moraes Cabral (Portugal):

On 28 November, the members of the Security Council heard a briefing on the situation in Yemen from the United Nations Special Adviser, Jamal Benomar, and the Deputy Director for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ (OCHA) Coordination and Response Division, Philippe Lazzarini.

The members of the Security Council commended the efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and of the United Nations Special Adviser, Mr. Benomar.  They welcomed the agreement by the parties, on the basis of the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative, as well as the signing of the initiative by the President of Yemen, and the signing by the parties of the implementation mechanism, thus beginning the period of peaceful transition of power, as called for in Security Council resolution 2014 (2011).

The members of the Security Council agreed that the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative and implementation mechanism must now be implemented in a serious, transparent and timely manner, and in a spirit of inclusion and reconciliation.  They noted the Security Council’s support for Yemen in its efforts to reach key milestones in the implementation plan, and expected the parties to honour the timetable set out in the agreement, including the formation of a Government of National Consensus, presidential elections within 90 days, a national dialogue, a constitutional review and a programme of reforms that start to tackle the profound humanitarian, economic and security challenges that Yemen faces.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their commitment to the territorial integrity and unity of Yemen.  They urged all the parties to reject violence, refrain from any further provocations and to fully implement Security Council resolution 2014 (2011).  The members of the Security Council reiterated that all those responsible for violence, human rights violations and abuses should be held accountable.  They deplored the violence on 24 November that reportedly led to five deaths in Sana’a.  The members of the Security Council emphasized the need for increased and unimpeded humanitarian access to address the growing crisis.  The members of the Security Council also called on all the Yemeni parties to work with the increasing support of the United Nations, international community and the GCC countries, immediately towards achieving peace, stability and reconciliation, as well as alleviating the humanitarian and economic situation in Yemen.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the efforts of the good offices of the Secretary-General and the dispatch of the United Nations electoral assistance mission.  They reaffirmed their intention to continue to actively monitor the security, political and humanitarian situation in Yemen and the implementation of Security Council resolution 2014 (2011).  They looked forward to a further update on the situation within 30 days, including on the status of the implementation of the political transition agreements.

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For information media • not an official record