‘Yemeni people deserve no less,’ says Ban, urging start of peace talks

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged all parties to the peace process in Yemen to “engage in good faith” with his envoy, so that talks can start without further delay.

“The Secretary-General is convinced that seizing this opportunity to move the process forward will help resolve outstanding issues and bring the end of this prolonged conflict closer. The Yemeni people and the region deserve no less,” said a statement attributable to the UN chief’s spokesperson.

The Secretary-General noted that the Yemeni Government delegation has arrived in Kuwait and looks forward to the participation of the Ansar Allah and representatives of the General People’s Congress in the talks.

He also recalled the commitment of all parties to a cessation of hostilities, which took effect on 10 April, and to the convening of inter-Yemeni talks in Kuwait.

Yesterday, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, announced that the start of the peace negotiations had been postponed.