Security Council Press Statement on Instability in Southern Yemen

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President José Singer Weisinger (Dominican Republic):

The members of the Security Council expressed their strong concern at the 25 April declaration of the Southern Transitional Council (STC).  They reaffirmed their strong commitment to Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and called for expediting implementation of the Riyadh Agreement.  They expressed concern that the STC actions could distract from the efforts of Special Envoy Martin Griffiths to secure a nationwide ceasefire, confidence-building measures, and the restart of a Yemeni-led and owned inclusive political process.  They urged the Government of Yemen and the Houthis to reinforce their engagement with a view to reaching agreement on the Special Envoy’s proposals as soon as possible.  They welcomed the announcement of the “Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen” of its extension of the unilateral ceasefire in support of the UN peace process and urged the Houthis to join the Government of Yemen in reciprocating immediately, in order to stop ongoing hostilities and counter the outbreak of COVID-19.