Security Council calls on all Yemenis to remain committed to political transition

The Security Council today voiced concern at the recent deterioration in cooperation among political actors in Yemen and called on them to remain committed to the country’s transition.

The popular uprising that began last year in Yemen, similar to the protests that erupted in other countries in the Middle East and North Africa, led to presidential elections last month that were won by Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour.

The Council, in a presidential statement, welcomed the “Yemen-led peaceful transition process to a just and democratic political system,” and noted the recent progress, including the 21 February polls that took place in a largely peaceful manner.

It also expressed concern at the recent deterioration in cooperation among political actors and the risks this poses to the transition. The Council called on all political actors in Yemen “to remain committed to the political transition, constitutional order, to play a constructive role in the process and to reject violence.”

The 15-member body noted that the second phase of the transition should focus on the holding of a national dialogue conference, restructuring of the security forces, tackling the unauthorized possession of weapons outside the State’s control, passing legislation on transitional justice, constitutional reform, electoral reform and the holding of general elections in 2014.

It is necessary that these political processes be conducted in an inclusive manner, the Council added, noting in particular the importance of a well-planned and peaceful preparatory process for the national dialogue conference.

The Council also voiced its strong concern about intensified terrorist attacks, including by Al-Qaida, within Yemen, and condemned such attacks in the strongest terms.

In addition, all parties were urged to facilitate full, safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian actors to reach people in need of assistance. There is a growing humanitarian crisis in the country as 6.8 million people are experiencing food insecurity, with three million in need of immediate assistance. Yemen also has the second highest rate of chronic malnutrition in children in the world, after Afghanistan.