Yemen: Statement During Briefing

Mr. President,

I thank Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and USG Mark Lowcock for their briefings.

Kenya strongly condemns the increasing aerial cross border attacks by the Houthis on civilian facilities in Saudi Arabia. We call on all the parties to refrain from any activities that would jeopardise ongoing peace efforts.

Kenya remains deeply concerned over the deteriorating situation in Marib. Over the last week we have witnessed an increasing number of casualties. Sadly, as the stakes mount higher, it is eroding any previous gains towards peace.

We note that the fighting has now displaced around 20,000 people; 5,000 more since the Council last met in March. This places an additional burden on already constrained relief and humanitarian efforts.

The humanitarian crisis is compounded by the second wave of COVID-19 which is rapidly spreading across Yemen. With the fragile health infrastructure, deteriorating economy and enduring violence, the International Community has to step in and offer Covid response solutions including the provision of additional vaccines.

Mr. President,

Kenya has previously cautioned that the violent conflict is creating a vacuum that is filled by terrorist groups. The reports that former combatants affiliated to AQAP and Islamic State are being equipped to fight in Marib must be acted on urgently.

We condemn the use of terrorism for political ends. We reiterate our conviction that terrorist groups should not be rewarded with political legitimacy. The world will rue attempts to build peace and security on actors who have undertaken terrorist atrocities to sit at the negotiating table.

We hope that this viewpoint is carefully considered by Special Envoy Martin Griffiths. We remain supportive of his efforts to resolve's Yemen complex crisis. We welcome the recent initiatives by the United States, Saudi Arabia and Oman that dovetail with the Special Envoy's task.

We hope for a united stance by this Council to reinforce these efforts to assist the parties to successfully achieve a peaceful political solution.

That solution will emerge from an inclusive and comprehensive resolution that will address the immediate and long-term concerns of all parties and bring to an end the unbearable suffering the people of Yemen have had to endure.

Kenya notes the positive movement on the Safer Tanker. We reiterate our call on the authorities handling the ship, to urgently provide unhindered access to the United Nations technical team to conduct the necessary inspection and repairs, to avert the looming environmental threat posed by the dilapidated tanker.

In conclusion, Mr. President, we believe that peace in Yemen is achievable if the process proceeds with its being Yemeni owned and Yemeni-led being at its core.

We wish our brothers and sisters in Yemen a Ramadan Kareem and pray that this holy month will bring with it lasting peace, happiness and prosperity to all their families.

I thank you.