Yemen: Statement During Briefing

Thank you, Mr. President,

I thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg, Ag. Director Ghada Mudawi and Ms. Azal Al-Salafi for their briefings.

I also welcome the participation of the representative of Yemen in this meeting.

Kenya welcomes the extension of the truce on 2nd June, 2022 for a further two months as a positive step. We acknowledge the concessions made by the Government of Yemen to support the truce and hope similarly, the Houthis will engage constructively to fulfil the remaining commitments, in particular the opening of roads in Taiz.

Mr. President,

Kenya remains deeply concerned on the security situation in Yemen. The reports of a recent uptick in suspected Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) activity in Aden and southern Yemen, could further fragment the fragile security situation including in the wider region.

The increased AQAP recruitment and mobilization in neighboring Abyan governorate is also concerning and we must remain alert to these emerging threats and undertake pre-emptive measures to prevent their expansion.

As peace talks progress, we strongly recommend that the peace framework and recovery process incorporates Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Plus (DDR +) which is conducted in a fashion that ensures reintegrated former fighters, do not relapse to armed conflict or fall into the radicalisation by terrorist groups.

Peace efforts must also recognise that a generation of Yemeni women, youth and persons with disabilities have been denied access to education and social services by virtue of the protracted conflict. Therefore, the international community should deliberately invest in this population through capacity building to equip them with skills that would facilitate them to make a decent living and contribute to national development.

Mr. President,

Kenya remains concerned over the dire economic and humanitarian situation in Yemen. We are alive to the fact that global economies are being affected by the disruption of the food and energy supply chain which is compounding the food and energy insecurity especially in fragile contexts like Yemen, and driving millions deeper into poverty and humanitarian crises. To address some of these challenges, we appeal for enhanced support towards:

Yemen's 2022 humanitarian response plan which remains underfunded;

Promoting local agriculture and food production; and,

Increasing Development assistance.

The reports of the detention, harassment, and obstruction of humanitarian workers are deeply concerning, and call on the parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and allow for the unfettered access for humanitarian personnel.

The Safer Tanker is of key importance to our region and the threat it poses remains an immediate concern. We appreciate all the contributions made thus far and sincerely hope that the remaining amount can be urgently raised to resolve this long-standing issue.

To conclude, Kenya reaffirms its commitment to supporting the ongoing United Nations efforts towards finding a comprehensive and lasting peace solution for the people of Yemen.

I thank you.