Yemen's peace process back in focus as UN steps up mediation efforts

ADEN – Member of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council Abdulrahman al-Mahrami discussed on Tuesday the prisoner and detainee file and ongoing peace efforts with the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg.

According to the official Yemeni news agency Saba, the talks covered the latest military, political and humanitarian developments in Yemen, as well as prospects for advancing the political process and establishing peace.

The meeting reviewed recent efforts by the United Nations and the international community to revive the peace track and examined ways to move the political process forward. 

Discussions also focused on the issue of prisoners and detainees and ongoing efforts to secure their release under the principle of "all for all" in order to end the humanitarian suffering associated with the file.

Mahrami said the Houthi movement was not serious about engaging in a genuine and comprehensive peace process, arguing that its conduct on the ground reflected continued intransigence and rejection of regional and international initiatives aimed at ending the war and alleviating humanitarian suffering.

He added that the Houthis had exhausted the Yemeni population and deepened humanitarian and economic hardships.

"Not content with plunging the country into severe internal crises, they have escalated their hostile practices to involve the Yemeni people and the region in regional and international crises that threaten security, stability, and international shipping lanes," Al-Mahrami said.

The Presidential Leadership Council member also stressed what he described as growing unity within the council and the government.

"Today, within the framework of legitimacy, we have become more united and cohesive in political and military decision-making," he said, describing such cohesion as the foundation for addressing current and future challenges and safeguarding the aspirations of the Yemeni people.

For his part, Grundberg briefed Mahrami on the outcome of his recent meetings and contacts with local and regional stakeholders.

The UN envoy reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to facilitating an inclusive political process led by Yemeni parties under UN auspices and expressed appreciation for what he described as the legitimate leadership's support for peace and de-escalation efforts.