Renewed push for Yemen crisis talks

UN envoy wraps up four-day visit to Riyadh discussing ways forward

Yemen’s warning factions must offer concessions and trust-building measures, the UN envoy to Yemen said on Wednesday.

Concluding a four-day visit to the Saudi capital, Esmail Ould Shaikh Ahmad said in a statement on his Facebook page that he held intensive talks with the Saudi and Yemeni officials in Riyadh and discussed ways to revive peace talks.

“We are currently exploring significant steps that each side can take to restore confidence and move towards a viable negotiated settlement. These steps are focused on three pillars: the resumption of the cessation of hostilities, some specific confidence building measures that can alleviate the humanitarian suffering and the return to the negotiation table in order to reach a comprehensive peace agreement,” Ould Shaikh Ahmad said, giving no further details on the measures.

Quoting Yemeni officials, the London-based Al Arab newspaper has recently reported that Ould Shaikh Ahmad suggested that Al Houthis first announce a truce as a good gesture followed by a similar move by the Saudi-led coalition and the Yemeni government.

Then, the Yemeni government and rebels would engage in direct talks sponsored by the UN.

The UN envoy said that he seeks to reach a sustainable peace agreement that would end the countries civil war.

“We remain committed working with all parties to to create the conditions for a return to meaningful bilateral negotiations. This large-scale suffering must end. I appeal to the parties to make the necessary concessions that can help paving the way for a longlasting peace, and to the international community to ensure unity of purpose in supporting these much-needed initiatives.” he said.

The Yemeni government said it would embrace peace efforts that are based on the three references of previous talks which include the outcomes of the National Dialogue, the GCC peace initiative and the UN Security Council 2216 which calls on Al Houthis to pull out of cities under their control, disarm and allow the internationally-recognised government to resume duties from Sana’a.