Yemen Monitor/ Newsroom:
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, stated that recent regional and international moves provide a crucial opportunity to revive efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and resuming the political process in Yemen, after a period of stalemate.
Grundberg explained, in a press statement, that he concluded a tour that included the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Bahrain, as part of his ongoing efforts to communicate with the conflict parties and regional countries to push towards a comprehensive political settlement.
During his visit to Muscat between October 27 and 30, the UN Envoy held meetings with senior Omani officials, the chief negotiator of the Ansar Allah group, Mohammed Abdul Salam, alongside Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Majid Takht Ravanchi.
In Manama, between October 31 and November 3, Grundberg participated in the “Manama Dialogue” and met with a number of Yemeni officials, including Foreign Minister Shaye Al-Zindani and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sagheer bin Aziz, in addition to a number of regional and international representatives.
The statement mentioned that the discussions focused on enhancing efforts to end the war and pave the way for the resumption of UN-sponsored peace negotiations.
Grundberg indicated that “the current moment in the region provides a realistic opportunity to revitalize efforts towards de-escalation and broadening the dialogue,” calling on all parties to show flexibility and shoulder responsibility to take tangible steps that would alleviate the humanitarian suffering in the country.
The UN Envoy also renewed his demand for the Houthi group to release the detained UN staff, noting that their continued detention hinders humanitarian work and negatively impacts the political efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
