In a statement on Friday, the UN Secretary General António Guterres said it was time for Government forces and their allies, along with the Houthi rebels and their international supporters,choose peace for good. “
The hiatus since April 2, has been extended twice, providing the longest period of relative calm since the start of the intensifying conflict, in 2015, Mr. Guterres said. speak. In a statement calling for an extension of the ceasefire earlier this month, Security Council said casualties were down 60% since it started.
“I really appeal to the Yemeni parties not only to extend but also to extend the terms and duration of the armisticeconsistent with the recommendation of my Envoy, Hans Grundberg. “
In a tweet on Thursday, Mr Grundberg said he held “intense discussions” in the capital this week, adding that renewal and expansion was a “humanitarian imperative and a political need”.
‘The obvious benefits’
The head of the UN said the truce had “bring tangible benefits and necessary relief to the people of Yemenincluding a significant reduction in violence and civilian casualties across the country”.
It also allows an increase in fuel shipments through the main Red Sea port of Hudaydah and the resumption of international flights to and from the Houthi-controlled airport in the capital Sa’ana, for the first time in nearly six years.
“But more needs to be done to achieve the full effectincluding reaching an agreement on the reopening of roads in Taiz”, in the south and other administrations, the Secretary-General added.
Starting to pay civil servants would further improve the daily lives of ordinary Yemenis, suggesting progress on “long-term political, economic and military issues”, “would signal a significant shift towards finding lasting solutions.”
Capture the day
Mr. Guterres strongly urged all participants in the protracted conflict to “seize this opportunity.”
“This is the time to build on the achievements already made and embark on a path towards the resumption of an inclusive and inclusive political process, to reach a negotiated agreement to end the conflict. The United Nations will make no effortS to assist the parties in this effort. “
An IOM employee distributes relief kits to newly displaced communities in Ma’rib, Yemen.
