UN Security Council Press Statement on Yemen

The members of the Security Council welcomed the announcement on 23 March

2016 by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh
Ahmed, of a nationwide cessation of hostilities in Yemen, scheduled to begin at
midnight on 10 April 2016, and peace talks scheduled to begin on 18 April 2016 in
Kuwait. The members of the Security Council welcomed the commitment of all
parties both to the cessation of hostilities and to the peace talks. The members of
the Security Council urged all parties to the conflict to immediately reduce violence
and refrain from any action that could lead to increased tensions, in order to pave
the way for a cessation of hostilities. The members of the Security Council called on
all parties to engage in the political talks in a flexible and constructive manner, in
line with relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolution 2216 (2015),
without preconditions, and in good faith.
In this regard, the members of the Security Council further welcomed the
commitment of all parties to reinforce the De-escalation and Coordination
Committee to sustain the cessation of hostilities.
The members of the Security Council urged all parties to fulfill their commitments to
facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, including measures to further
ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and they called upon all
sides to comply with international humanitarian law and protect civilians. The
members of the Security Council further underlined the importance of the delivery
of commercial goods and fuel for civilian purposes to all parts of Yemen as a
humanitarian imperative.
The members of the Security Council expressed their strong support for the Special
Envoy and his tireless efforts in support of the cessation of hostilities and renewed
talks.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong commitment to the
unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen.