The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, believed that the extension of the humanitarian truce supported by the organisation there, which is due to expire soon, is both a humanitarian and political necessity as part of efforts by the international community to push for its extension and expansion.
Grundberg emphasised the importance of the truce and how much of an opportunity it has been for Yemenis, saying that it must be missed.
Grundberg held extensive discussions with the Houthis during the visit on issues related to paying civil servants’ salaries, issues related to ports and the airport, and maintaining the calm of the front lines, according to a statement released by the UN envoy’s office on Thursday evening, at the conclusion of his visit to Sanaa.
He emphasised that there is a chance to build on and broaden the advantages of the armistice and that everyone must show courage and leadership if peace is to be pursued rather than conflict.
The potential of a return to the state of war and Houthi intransigence was hinted at by his further statement that the opportunity would not arise again.
This occurred at the conclusion of the UN envoy’s journey to the capital city of Sanaa, which tried to persuade the Houthi militia leadership to accept the UN request to prolong and broaden the humanitarian ceasefire that expires next Sunday.
The Yemeni sides decided to prolong the ceasefire for two more months under the same terms, from August 2 through October 2, 2022, according to a statement released by the UN on that date.
This prolongation followed a prior UN armistice that went into force in April 2022 and was in place for a two-month period on all fronts of conflict in Yemen. Governorates to allow two flights to and from Sanaa International Airport each week, increase the freedom of movement of people throughout Yemen, and make it easier for 18 ships carrying petroleum to dock at Hodeidah in the west of the country.
The need to prolong the armistice is emphasised by the UN.
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