UN Security Council Briefing and Consultation on Middle East (Yemen)

Ambassador Harold Agyeman
Ghana’s Representative to the United Nations
New York, New York
April 17, 2023

Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the members of the A3 comprising Gabon, Mozambique and my own country Ghana. We thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and OCHA Deputy Director of Operations and Advocacy Ghada Mudawi, for their briefings and, welcome the participation of the representative of the Republic of Yemen in this meeting.

Mr. President,
We are encouraged by the renewed optimism surrounding the ongoing negotiations to find a solution to the Yemeni conflict. We welcome the pragmatism that has so far characterized the engagements of key stakeholders in the conflict, not least, the direct engagement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Houthis and the valuable intermediary role being played by the Sultanate of Oman. This demonstrates the importance of regional efforts in the negotiation process. However, a sustainable solution to the conflict lies firmly in the hands of the Yemeni people. It is our hope that the current international and regional efforts will lay the needed foundation for an inclusive Yemeni-led Yemeni-owned political process that will bring a lasting and comprehensive solution to the conflict. We call on the parties to seize the prevailing climate of trust, hope and enthusiasm surrounding the negotiations, for a breakthrough in ending the crises.

We are further encouraged by the release of nearly 900 conflict-related detainees this month as part of an implementation of an agreement reached by the parties in Geneva last month. It is a significant confidence-building measure that gives cause for further optimism that with commitment and determination, the parties can come to agreement on some of the most consequential issues of the conflict. We commend the efforts of all stakeholders, particularly, the Special Envoy and the International Committee of the Red Cross, for this feat and support every effort that takes us a step closer to durable peace in Yemen  We call on the parties to seize this moment and resolve to deepen their negotiations in good faith to reach a nationwide ceasefire that will afford the people of Yemen the opportunity to ultimately chart their own political future. The few months of relative calm enjoyed by the people of Yemen, since the inception of the expired Truce a year ago, has given the people of Yemen a glimpse of the opportunities that await them should there be a sustainable resolution of the country’s crisis. Therefore, any attempt by any of the parties to reverse such marginal progress will be counterproductive and must not be countenanced.

Also, the A3 reminds that hope for a lasting peace in Yemen requires the pursuit of an inclusive political process that takes into account all segments of the population, including women. We therefore welcome the Special Envoy’s consultative meeting held last month in Cairo with Yemeni men and women as an important step towards the full, effective and meaningful participation of Yemeni women in all stages of the peace process. This is particularly critical in view of their long-demonstrated willingness and capacity to engage in communal and national efforts aimed at resolving the conflict.

Mr. President,
Notwithstanding the recent positive developments, we have been taken aback by the incessant Houthi provocations, including military escalations in Marib and Shabwa and the targeting of senior Government of Yemen officials in Taiz. We renew our appeal to them to prioritize the interest of Yemenis and demonstrate their full commitment to the peace process to preserve the fragile security situation in the country.

Mr. President,
The international community must not relent on its efforts to address the humanitarian crisis facing the country. In spite of recent marginal progress on the humanitarian front, needs still remain high, with majority of the population still requiring assistance. We call for increased international support to bridge the funding gap needed to effectively address the humanitarian crisis facing the Yemeni people. We are saddened that access constraints still persist and continue to be a major impediment to efficient and effective aid delivery in Yemen in spite of the dire humanitarian needs of the people. Imposition of administrative and bureaucratic bottlenecks on the operations of humanitarian agencies, including restrictions on movements of female staff, affect delivery of critical humanitarian assistance to segments of the Yemeni society.

We are particularly concerned about the persistence of Maharam obligation imposed on female humanitarian staff which requires them to be accompanied by male guardians in areas controlled by the Houthis. In this regard, we renew our appeal to the parties, especially, the Houthis, to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law and grant unimpeded access for delivery of humanitarian aid to all those in need. With the prospects of peace on the horizon, every effort must be made to support Yemen’s weak economy to create viable opportunities to improve the socioeconomic condition and reduce the country’s dependence on external humanitarian support. On this note, we renew our appeal to the international community to dovetail support for the country’s economy into every effort aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people. Above all, peaceful resolution of the conflict holds so much prospects for the country’s ailing economy more than anything else. It will make it possible for more flights from and to Yemen, open up the ports for entry of essential goods for ordinary Yemenis and help ease inflation. More especially, it will help facilitate resumption of oil exports to bring in the badly needed foreign exchange for payment of salaries of all public servants, among others.

Mr. President,
The risk posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war in Yemen must be tackled head-on to bring down the number of casualties associated with the menace and increase economic productivity as semblance of normalcy returns to the country. Aside ensuring civilian safety, increased de-mining efforts will help free up affected agricultural lands for food production and contribute to economic recovery of the country. We renew our call for effective international and local collaboration to comprehensively deal with the issue. The danger posed by misinformation and disinformation in Houthi controlled areas designed to undermine people’s confidence in vaccines and their willingness to vaccinate their children cannot be underestimated. Such acts must stop, in the interest of children’s health. Furthermore, the general welfare of children, who have been overwhelmingly affected by the war, must continue to be given special attention. It is regrettable that notwithstanding the efforts of the
international community, many children still live in deplorable conditions with no access to good sanitation and water, which puts them at increased risk of malnutrition, cholera and death from common infectious diseases. We note that the best interest of children must prevail at all times.

On the issue of the FSO Safer oil vessel, we look forward to speedy arrival of the Crude Carrier in Yemen next month for the initial phase of the operation to commence. It is our expectation that upon its arrival, all parties will cooperate with the UN for safe and quick transfer of the oil from the decaying vessel into the newly acquired carrier. Even though funding shortfalls still persists, the international community has come so close to averting a major global environmental and humanitarian disaster and must not let those efforts be derailed by the outstanding amount of about 29 million Dollars.

Finally, the people of Yemen are yet again at the cusp of reversing the devasting consequences of years of conflict that have brought them nothing but misery and suffering, and the parties must not let this opportunity slip through
their fingers. Peace, which the people of Yemen have been yearning for in the past eight years, is finally within the grasp of the parties and; they only need to stretch a willing hand to grab it.

I thank you for your attention