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

Ambassador Harold Agyeman
Ghana’s Representative to the United Nations
New York, New York
July 10, 2023

BRIEFING AND CONSULTATIONS ON THE MIDDLE EAST (YEMEN) STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE A3 (GABON, GHANA, AND MOZAMBIQUE)

Madam 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 ASG Joyce Msuya, for their briefings and, welcome the participation of the representative of the Republic of Yemen in this meeting.

Madam President,
The A3 remains cautiously optimistic about the prospects for peace in Yemen. We are pleased that the parties appreciate the benefits of the elements of the expired Truce that they are still generally observing. Paramount among the peace dividends has been the significant reduction in civilian casualties accompanying the general decrease in military hostilities in the country. Such a rare period of relative calm has created an enabling environment for other benefits of the Truce to take root. As part of the benefits, commercial flights between Sana’a and Amman have
increased. For the first time in nearly seven years, there was a direct flight from Sana’a to Jeddah carrying Yemeni Muslim pilgrims to participate in this year’s Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While such movements between cities in different countries are daily occurrences in most parts of the world, in Yemen it represents a significant milestone worth celebrating. Such developments offer the people of Yemen a glimpse of the limitless opportunities that await them should they choose the path of peace over conflict.

On this note, the A3 commends the UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and his team for their continuing push to find a lasting solution to the conflict in Yemen and assure them of the A3’s support for their efforts. The holding of the eighth meeting of the Supervisory Committee on Detainees Exchange in Amman, Jordan, last month, is another positive development. As was the case in March, when nearly 900 conflict-related detainees were released, we remain hopeful of the eventual release of all remaining detainees. The need to preserve the current relative calm while negotiations continue to find a more durable solution to the conflict is ever more important. As the UN, working in concert with regional powers strive for a breakthrough in the ongoing negotiations, we urge the parties to refrain from engaging in escalatory actions that may disturb the relative peace being enjoyed by the people of Yemen.  It is for this reason that the A3 condemns in the strongest terms recent military hostilities along the front lines that risk reversing the marginal progress so far made. Such provocations must not be countenanced. The parties are once again reminded to prioritize the interest of the people of Yemen and demonstrate their full commitment to the peace process by taking concrete steps to improve the fragile security situation in the country. Regional efforts remain key in the search for a lasting solution to the Yemeni conflict. Such efforts complement the role of this Council in the maintenance of international peace and security. In this regard, we acknowledge the pivotal role played by Oman and Saudi Arabia in an attempt to resolve the Yemeni crises and assure them of our support.

Madam President,
The humanitarian situation in Yemen remains dire with majority of the population still requiring assistance. At the same time due to funding shortfalls, aid agencies are contemplating cutting back on relief supplies. If urgent steps are not taken to provide needed resources, the suffering of those who depend on the assistance will be exacerbated. The A3 calls for increased international support to fund the Yemen humanitarian response plan, which sadly is currently 70 per cent underfunded. Unfortunately, the humanitarian crisis is compounded by a declining
economic condition. The worsening economy continues to reduce the purchasing power of many Yemenis as prices of basic necessities are pushed beyond their reach. The situation is further severely impacted by adverse actions taken by the Houthis, including their stranglehold on the ability of the Government of Yemen to export oil. The restriction curtails the government’s capacity to fully honour its financial obligations. This Council must explore ways to bring the economic blockade to an end to ease the suffering of the Yemeni people.

In addition, it is regrettable that access constraints continue to persist, notwithstanding constant appeals for them to be lifted to ensure smooth delivery of relief items and services. Actions that impede humanitarian access, including restrictions on movements of female staff, do not only violate international humanitarian law and international human rights law, but they also deny or limit delivery of critical humanitarian assistance to segments of the Yemeni society. In this regard, we renew our appeal to the parties, especially, the Houthis, to grant unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian aid to all those in need.

Madam 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 the economic recovery of the country. The A3 renews its call for effective international and local collaboration to comprehensively deal with the issue. Regarding the FSO Safer Tanker, we are pleased to note that the transfer of oil from the decaying vessel has commenced and is progressing smoothly. At this stage, the cooperation of all stakeholders is essential to ensure a safe, quick, and uninterrupted salvage operation. We use this opportunity to appreciate the various roles played by all stakeholders that has brough us this far and, renew our appeal to the international community to help bridge the outstanding funding gap of about 28 million United States dollars to ensure an uninterrupted operation.

Finally, the A3 holds the view that the best solution to the conflict remains a Yemeni-led Yemeni-owned political process under the auspices of the United Nations. In this regard, the renewal of the Truce, and subsequently, a nationwide ceasefire, is a sine qua non for such a process to commence. The parties must work assiduously towards the creation of that condition.

I thank you for your attention.