Behind Muscat’s Closed Doors: Can UN Pressure Lead to the Release of Detainees and Advance Peace in Yemen?
Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has reiterated his commitment to achieving a sustainable peace in Yemen during a series of meetings held in the Omani capital, Muscat. These meetings included discussions with Omani officials, Houthi leadership, and members of the diplomatic community.
According to the Envoy’s office, the talks focused on the urgent need to stabilize the situation in Yemen to ensure that Yemenis can live with dignity and prosperity, while also taking into account the legitimate concerns of local, regional, and international stakeholders.
During the meetings, the United Nations once again called for the immediate release of UN staff, NGO workers, and detained diplomats.
Grundberg expressed deep concern over the ongoing suffering of the detainees’ families and colleagues, emphasizing that such detentions hinder international efforts to support Yemen and undermine the peace process.
Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the spokesperson for the Houthis, stated that the meeting with the UN envoy addressed both the political and humanitarian conditions in Yemen and the wider region. He stressed the importance of addressing humanitarian issues and avoiding escalation in order to resume the peace process.
Just days ago, Grundberg warned that both Houthi attacks and U.S. airstrikes are jeopardizing peace efforts in Yemen.
