UN seeks ‘substantial progress’ for further Yemen peace talks

new york — UN envoy Martin Griffiths warned on Wednesday that “substantial progress” was needed to advance peace efforts in Yemen before new talks can be held on ending the devastating war.

Addressing the Security Council, Griffiths said he was still “hopeful” that negotiations to follow up on a ceasefire deal reached last month in Sweden will be held “in the near future.”

The Saudi-backed government and Houthi rebels agreed during talks in Stockholm to a ceasefire in Hodeida, the rebel-held port city that is a key entry point for humanitarian aid to Yemen.

The breakthrough buoyed hopes of an end to the conflict, but the envoy’s statement underscored that the diplomatic gains toward peace were fragile and the pace of progress slower than anticipated.

“Both sides have largely adhered to the ceasefire and there has been a significant decrease in hostilities,” Griffiths told the council by video-conference from Amman.

Talks are ongoing on a redeployment of forces from Hodeida, providing security in the city and opening up access routes to allow humanitarian convoys to reach millions in dire need of food aid, he added.

A meeting will be held in Amman

Both sides have largely adhered to the ceasefire and there has been a significant decrease in hostilities

Martin Griffiths, UN envoy

next week to follow up on an agreed prisoner swap that could pave the way to an airlift of “many, many thousands” of detainees from both sides.

“It is my view and it is shared by the leadership of both parties, but also others, that substantial progress, particularly on Hodeida of course, is something that we would like to see before we reconvene the next consultations,” said Griffiths.

Griffiths briefed the Security Council after a round of shuttle diplomacy in the region including talks with rebel leaders in Sanaa and President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in Riyadh on shoring up the ceasefire deal. —