The landmark truce in Yemen, which has been holding since April, has been renewed for an additional two months through 2 October, UN Special Envoy for the country, Hans Grundberg, announced on Tuesday.
The extension includes a commitment by the Government and Houthi rebels to intensify negotiations to reach an expanded agreement as soon as possible.
The envoy thanked the leadership of both sides for agreeing to the extension, and for their continued constructive engagements.
“I count on the continued cooperation of the parties to meet their commitments and implement all elements of the truce and to negotiate in good faith to reach an expanded truce agreement, and to put Yemen on a path to sustainable peace. The Yemeni people deserve no less,” he said in a statement.
Stepping up engagement
Mr. Grundberg has shared a proposal for an expanded deal with the parties and has received “substantive comments” from them.
He said the proposal would provide for the sides to reach agreement on a mechanism for the regular payment of civil servant salaries and pensions, the opening of roads in Taiz and other governorates, opening additional destinations to and from the airport in the capital, Sana’a, and providing fuel to the ports of Hudaydah, and ensuring regular flows.
“An expanded agreement would also provide an opportunity to negotiate a nationwide ceasefire, humanitarian and economic issues, and to prepare for the resumption of the Yemeni-led political process under UN auspices to reach a sustainable and just peace,” he added.
The UN-brokered truce first came into effect on 2 April, and for an initial two months. It was renewed for another two months in June, marking the longest period of relative calm in Yemen in more than seven years of conflict.
Road to peace
Among the achievements, reported last month, were a 60 per cent reduction in civilian casualties, and nearly 50 per cent decrease in displacement. Additionally, 26 fuel ships have entered Hudaydah, and there were 36 round-trip flights between Sana’a and Jordan’s capital, Amman, and Cairo, Egypt.
Mr. Grundberg underlined that the main objective of the truce continues to be to provide tangible relief to civilians and to create a conducive environment for reaching a peaceful settlement to the conflict through a comprehensive political process.
He will be intensifying engagement with the parties in the coming weeks to ensure full implementation of their obligations under the truce.
“This should include the implementation of the full number and regularity of flights between the agreed destinations and Sana’a International Airport and the number of fuel ships entering Hudaydah port, as stipulated in the truce agreement,” he said.
“It is also important to make progress on opening roads in Taiz and other governorates to facilitate the freedom of movement of millions of Yemeni women, men and children, and of goods. The people of Taiz and across Yemen deserve for the truce to deliver for them in all its aspects.”
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It’s great news that the truce in Yemen has been renewed for another two months! I hope both the Government and Houthi rebels will make the most of this extension to negotiate a comprehensive agreement. The Yemeni people’s peace and stability should be the top priority.
It is crucial that both the Government and the Houthi rebels stay committed to the truce and intensify negotiations for a sustainable peace in Yemen. The continued cooperation of the parties is necessary to implement all elements of the agreement and reach an expanded truce deal. Let’s hope for a brighter future for the Yemeni people.
It’s heartening to see the Yemen truce being extended. I hope both parties truly commit to negotiation and put an end to the suffering of the Yemeni people. Hoping for sustainable peace for this war-torn country.
It’s great to see the truce in Yemen being extended, showing commitment from both sides to negotiate and work towards sustainable peace. The Yemeni people truly deserve a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
As an advocate for sustainable peace, I truly appreciate the efforts of all sides in Yemen to renew the truce and commit to further negotiations. It is crucial for the well-being of the Yemeni people that the parties cooperate and implement all elements of the agreement. Let’s hope this leads to a lasting peace in Yemen.
As a long-time observer of conflicts in the Middle East, I believe this extended truce in Yemen is a positive step towards achieving sustainable peace in the region. It’s crucial for both the Government and Houthi rebels to engage in sincere negotiations to address the root causes of the conflict and work towards a comprehensive agreement that benefits the Yemeni people. I commend the efforts of Hans Grundberg and hope that all parties will fulfill their commitments for the sake of a better future for Yemen.
Is there any information on the specific terms and conditions of the expanded agreement proposed by Mr. Grundberg?
Yes, Mr. Grundberg has shared a proposal for an expanded deal with the parties and has received “substantive comments” from them. The proposal aims to reach agreement on various aspects, including regular payment of civil servant salaries and pensions, opening roads in Taiz and other governorates, expanding airport destinations in Sana’a, providing fuel to the ports of Hudaydah, and ensuring stability. Hope this helps!
It’s great news that the truce in Yemen has been extended, allowing more time for negotiations and progress towards sustainable peace. Let’s hope both sides stay committed to the process and work towards a comprehensive agreement that benefits the Yemeni people.
It’s great to see the truce in Yemen being renewed for an additional two months, with a commitment from both the Government and Houthi rebels to intensify negotiations. I hope this leads to a sustainable peace for the Yemeni people. Kudos to all parties involved for their efforts towards peace.
It’s truly encouraging to see the Yemen truce extended with a commitment from both the Government and Houthi rebels to intensify negotiations. Hopefully, this paves the way for a sustainable peace agreement. The envoy’s efforts in sharing the proposal for an expanded deal are commendable, and I hope the parties will act in good faith to implement all elements of the truce. Yemeni people deserve this chance for peace and stability.
It’s great to see the truce being extended and both sides committing to negotiations for a long-term agreement. I hope they follow through on their promises and work towards sustainable peace in Yemen.
How will intensifying negotiations help in reaching an expanded truce agreement faster?