“For hundreds of Yemeni families, today is a good day,” Special Envoy Hans Grundberg told reporters at a Press Conference in Switzerland. “Today, hundreds of Yemeni families can look forward to being reunited with their loved ones.”
He said the Oversight Committee on the Implementation of the Detainee Exchange Agreement concluded the latest round of negotiations with some positive results.
“But, it is important to remember that, when the parties committed to the Detainee Exchange Agreement, they made a promise, not only to each other but to each other. thousands of Yemeni families are living with the pain of separation from those closest to them for so long,” he said.
Successful negotiation round
The nearly decade-long conflict in Yemen – and resulting in a long, large-scale humanitarian emergency – began in 2014 when the Houthi rebel militia first took control of the capital. and the country’s largest city, Sana’a. After much diplomatic effort, the conflicting parties agreed to an armistice in April 2022.
After the latest round of negotiations, the parties agreed on an implementation plan to release the detaineesand to meet again in mid-May to discuss further releases. They are more committed exchange joint visit to each other’s detention facilities and to allow access to all detainees during these visits.
Mr. Grundberg called on the parties to create favorable conditions for rapid rollout of releasesand to elaborate on Monday’s results and agree on more releases.
The parties signed in 2018 Stockholm Agreementwhich outlines three areas for action: prisoner exchangeOne ceasefireAnd participation of civil society on the road to peace.
“Me too encourage the parties to release additional detainees on a unilateral and ongoing basis,” he said. “The outcome of today is a welcome development and positive progress towards the parties fulfilling their obligations under the Stockholm Agreement on the release of persons detained in connection with the conflict. on everyone’s basis.”
There needs to be a lasting end to the conflict
While the overall landscape has softened since 2022, concern still as Yemen grapples with economic challenges and parties work to end the conflict, which has displaced millions and left many families struggling to survive. In 2022, aid agencies have supported nearly 11 million people per month.
“There’s still a lot of work to do” he say. “Comprehensively and a lasting end to the conflict is needed if Yemen recovers from the devastating damage the eight-year conflict has inflicted on its men and women.”
handle Security Council on March 15The special envoy said much has been achieved in the past year, and now it is time for the “next step”.
“The the parties must seize the opportunity embodied by this regional and international drive to take decisive steps towards a more peaceful future” he say. “That requires patience and a long-term vision, and this requires courage and leadership.”
