Security Council Presidential Statement Welcomes Cessation of Hostilities, Launch of Peace Talks in Yemen
The Security Council today welcomed the nationwide cessation of hostilities in Yemen and the launch of peace talks, commenced on 10 April and 21 April 2016, respectively.
Issuing presidential statement S/PRST/2016/5, the 15-member Council urged all parties to comply fully with the cessation-of-hostilities agreement and to exercise restraint in response to any reports of violations. It welcomed the establishment in Kuwait of a De-escalation and Coordination Committee to bolster adherence to the nationwide accord, and called upon the parties to work with it in resolving violations.
The Council called upon all Yemeni parties to develop a road map for the implementation of interim security measures, especially at the local level, withdrawals, the handover of heavy weapons, the restoration of State institutions and the resumption of political dialogue.
Expressing strong concern over intensified terrorist attacks, including by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), the Council encouraged all parties to avoid security vacuums. Furthermore, it stressed that a political solution to the crisis was essential to addressing the terrorism threat in Yemen.
Noting the devastating humanitarian impact of the conflict on the Yemeni people, the Council called upon all sides to comply with international humanitarian law, respect medical facilities and personnel, and allow safe, rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian supplies to all affected governorates.
The Council requested that the Secretary-General present, within 30 days, a plan outlining how the Office of the Special Envoy could support the next phase of its work with the parties.
The meeting began at 1:56 p.m. and ended at 1:58 p.m.
Presidential Statement
The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2016/5:
“The Security Council recalls its resolutions 2014 (2011), 2051 (2012), 2140 (2014), 2201 (2015), 2204 (2015), 2216 (2015), and 2266 (2016) and presidential statements of 15 February 2013, 29 August 2014, and 22 March 2015.
“The Security Council recalls that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue conference, and relevant Security Council resolutions provide the basis for inclusive negotiations for a political settlement of the crisis in Yemen.
“The Security Council welcomes the commencement of a nationwide cessation of hostilities in Yemen which began at midnight on 10 April 2016, and the launch of Yemeni-Yemeni peace talks, hosted by Kuwait, led and facilitated by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, which commenced on 21 April. The Council urges the parties to comply fully with the cessation of hostilities and exercise restraint in response to any reports of violations. The Council welcomes the establishment of a De-escalation and Coordination Committee in Kuwait to bolster adherence to the nationwide cessation of hostilities, and calls on the parties to work with the De-escalation and Coordination Committee to resolve any reports of violations to the cessation of hostilities. Furthermore, the Council reiterates its call to all parties to engage in peace talks in a flexible and constructive manner without preconditions, and in good faith.
“The Security Council further notes the importance of reaching agreement on a framework of principles, mechanisms and processes for the conclusion of a comprehensive agreement which will bring about a permanent end to the conflict.
“The Security Council also calls on all Yemeni parties to develop a road map for the implementation of interim security measures, especially at the local level, withdrawals, handover of heavy weapons, restoration of State institutions, and the resumption of political dialogue in line with relevant Security Council decisions, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, and the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue conference.
“The Security Council notes that in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015) and the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue conference, the Parties should commit to ensure that security mechanisms, including the formation of security committees, facilitate and oversee the negotiated withdrawal of militias and armed groups and provide for the orderly handover of heavy and medium weapons to State control.
“The Security Council recalls the importance of the full participation of women and civil society in the peace process (including on security arrangements), in line with the outcomes of the National Dialogue conference.
“The Security Council expresses its strong concern about intensified terrorist attacks, including by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (also known as Da’esh), and encourages all Yemeni parties to avoid any security vacuums that can be exploited by terrorists or other violent groups. The Security Council stresses that a political solution to the crisis is essential to address, in a durable and comprehensive manner, the threat of terrorism in Yemen.
“The Security Council stresses the importance of the restoration of Government control over all State institutions, including respect for the legally established lines of authority in State institutions; removal of any hindrance or obstructions to proper functioning of State institutions; and changes to ensure inclusivity in political institutions.
“The Security Council reiterates that resuming Yemen’s peaceful political transition to a democratically-governed State, in line with the GCC initiative, should be guided by a new constitution and the holding of parliamentary and presidential elections, and conducted in an inclusive manner involving the full participation of all of Yemen’s diverse communities, including all regions of the country, youth, and the full and effective participation of women.
“The Security Council notes the devastating humanitarian impact of the conflict on the Yemeni people and emphasizes that the humanitarian situation will deteriorate in the absence of a political solution. The Security Council calls upon all sides to comply with international humanitarian law, including to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects, in order to prevent any further suffering for the people of Yemen. The Security Council further underlines the need to ensure the security of humanitarian and United Nations personnel. The Security Council further calls on all parties to respect and protect medical facilities and personnel. The Security Council calls on all parties to take proactive steps to protect civilians and civilian objects, in order to prevent any further suffering of the Yemeni people. The Security Council further calls on the parties to allow the safe, rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian supplies to all affected governorates and to facilitate access for essential imports of food, fuel and, medical supplies into the country and their distribution throughout. In this regard, the Security Council calls upon all States to respect the mandate and processes of the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM), based in Djibouti, and facilitate the full implementation of its mandate without any further delay.
“The Security Council recalls its resolution 2266 (2016) which expressed the Council’s support for and commitment to the work of the Special Envoy for Yemen to the Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed in support of a Yemeni-led transition process.
“The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to present a plan to the Security Council, within 30 days, outlining how the Office of the Special Envoy could support the next phase of its work with the parties, in particular to support the elements set out in paragraph 5 above.
“The Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen.”