Today, Monday, the United Nations envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, expressed optimism about extending the armistice agreement and changing the course of the conflict, but stressed the need to seek a comprehensive process leading to a viable political settlement. The Houthi group also spoke of holding "positive talks" in the Sultanate of Oman.
In a video briefing to the UN Security Council, the UN envoy said that he held "positive and constructive" talks today with the leadership in Sana'a, represented by the head of the Supreme Political Council of the Houthi group, Mahdi Al-Mashat. He also held "fruitful talks" during the past weeks with the President of the Presidential Council, Rashad Al-Alimi. And with regional and international partners in Riyadh and Muscat.
Grundberg said that the overall military situation in Yemen remains stable, noting that there has been no major escalation or change in the front lines.
He praised the parties' continued "restraint on the military side in general," pointing to some limited military activities on the front lines, specifically in the governorates of Marib, Taiz, Al-Dhalea, Al-Hudaydah and Lahj, as well as along the Saudi-Yemeni border area.
Grundberg added that military activity, coupled with negative rhetoric and escalatory political and economic measures, creates a situation in which any amount of miscalculation can reignite an irreversible cycle of violence, as he put it.
The UN Special Envoy to #Yemen, Hans Grundberg, briefed the Security Council on the current situation in Yemen in an open session today, January 16, 2023.
To read the briefing: https://t.co/rlpq1rS1zz
— @OSE_Yemen (@OSE_Yemen) January 16, 2023
In the context of his talk about mediation efforts, the UN envoy said that his discussions with the Yemeni parties focused on options to ensure a truce agreement and measures to prevent economic deterioration and mitigate the impact of the conflict on civilians.
More than 3 months after the expiration of the armistice agreement, Grundberg explained that the current period is witnessing an intensification of diplomatic activity at the regional and international levels to resolve the conflict, expressing his appreciation for the efforts made by Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman in this regard.
"The current period is witnessing a possible change in the course of the Yemeni conflict, and the ongoing dialogues represent an opportunity that must not be missed," Grundberg said.
The UN envoy stressed that many of the issues on the table, especially those related to sovereignty, can only be resolved permanently through an inclusive dialogue between Yemenis.
He expressed optimism about the intense talks at the present time, pointing out that the absence of an agreement that includes a common vision for moving forward increases the risk of military escalation and a return to an all-out conflict.
Grundberg urged the parties to take advantage of the space for dialogue created by the relative military calm, and called on them to work urgently to reach a common vision that includes concrete action steps.
The UN envoy also expressed his hope that these talks will be built on to ensure that the year 2023 will witness the building of a more peaceful and prosperous future for Yemeni women and men.
Omani mediation
For his part, Al-Mashat said in media statements today that the talks that took place with an Omani team were positive, and he stressed the Houthi group's desire for regional stability.
Media affiliated with the Houthi group said yesterday that the Omani mediation delegation left Sana'a, accompanied by the head of the Houthi delegation, negotiator Muhammad Abdul Salam, after a visit that lasted for several days.
Yesterday, Abdel Salam spoke of continuing the "serious and positive" discussions in Muscat, after launching them in Sana'a.
The armistice agreement, mediated by the United Nations, was concluded last April and was extended twice, which caused the longest period of relative calm, and it has not been renewed subsequently since the beginning of last October.