Truce in Yemen starts Friday, Ban says

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on Yemen

The Secretary-General thanks President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi and continues to encourage his support for a humanitarian pause, as conveyed in a letter received on 8 July. 

He notes that the President has communicated his acceptance of the pause to the Coalition to ensure their support and collaboration. 

The Secretary-General has received assurances through his Special Envoy from the Houthis, the General People’s Congress and other parties that the pause will be fully respected and that there will be no violations from any combatants under their control. 

The Secretary-General looks forward to the commitments of all parties to the conflict in Yemen to an unconditional humanitarian pause to start on Friday, 10 July at 23:59 (GMT + 3) until the end of Ramadan. 

It is imperative and urgent that humanitarian aid can reach all vulnerable people of Yemen unimpeded and through an unconditional humanitarian pause. Full and unhindered access by humanitarian agencies to all parts of the country, including through sea and airports, should be ensured with a view to reaching people in need, including with essential medicines, vaccinations, food and water. 

The Secretary-General reminds the parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and calls on all sides to contribute to preventing a humanitarian catastrophe in the country. 

The Secretary-General is grateful for the efforts of his Special Envoy to continue to engage with all Yemeni stakeholders to take confidence-building steps towards a durable cease-fire and develop a mechanism for the withdrawal of forces, release of political prisoners and the resumption of an inclusive political process in accordance with Security Council resolution 2216 (2015). These measures will form part of subsequent agreements which will require further consultations. 

The Secretary-General encourages all parties to the conflict to extend their full cooperation and support to his Special Envoy on the way forward. The Secretary-General firmly believes that the only sustainable solution to the conflict in Yemen is through peaceful and all-inclusive political dialogue and negotiations. 

New York, 9 July 2015