UN chief Guterres hails ‘signs of hope’ in political solution to Yemeni conflict

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday welcomed recent indications that peace talks could resume soon to end the Yemeni conflict.

Guterres said there was “no room for complacency,” and called on the warring parties and the international community to halt the violence and “reach a political settlement”.

“On the humanitarian side, the situation is desperate,” said Guterres, but “on the political side,” he noted, “there are signs of hope”.

Guterres called for several steps to be taken urgently: an immediate cessation of hostilities, especially in densely populated areas; clearance without restrictions for essential imports such as food and fuel; and ensuring humanitarian access to civilians.

He said efforts to kick-start the economy by stabilizing the exchange rate of the Yemeni Rial; and paying the salaries and pensions of public servants were also essential; alongside additional funding from the international community for the humanitarian response.

“I welcome the strong, constructive engagement from many Member States in recent days joining their voices to the UN’s repeated appeals for a cessation of hostilities and supporting my Special Envoy’s efforts,” said the UN chief, who also welcomed the warring parties’ expression of readiness to engage in peace consultations.

“There is now an opportunity for peace in Yemen,” he concluded, urging the parties to “overcome obstacles and resolve differences through dialogue at UN-facilitated consultations” in November.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Abdul Latif al-Zayani, on Friday evening expressed hopes to resume peace consultations during communication with the UN envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffith.

He also stressed the keenness of the Gulf Cooperation Council to stop the bloodshed, expressing the hope that the Houthis will respond to the overarching interests of Yemen and its people, in a reference to the Houthis’ continued alliance with Iran and Iranian interference in the Arab region.