The UN announces a two-month extension of the truce reached in Yemen

MADRID, 2 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The United Nations special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has announced a two-month extension of the truce reached in early April, which expired on Tuesday amid criticism from the Houthis and the lack of progress in the talks on the application of other points of the agreement.

"This expanded armistice proposal will allow agreement on a transparent and effective exchange mechanism to pay the salaries of civil servants and retirees on a regular basis, open roads in Taiz and other governorates, operate more travel destinations to and from Taiz airport Sana'a, and provide fuel and its regular flow through the ports of Hodeida," he said in a statement.

The two-month extension seeks to "provide tangible progress on the provisions of the truce and create an environment conducive to achieving a peaceful solution to the conflict through an inclusive political process."

The main negotiator and spokesman for the Houthis, Mohamed Abdel Salam, has indicated on his Twitter profile that they reiterate "the importance of the intensive work of the United Nations in the payment of salaries, the opening of the airport and the port."

"Humanitarian issues are natural rights of the Yemeni people, and addressing them urgently is necessary to enter more serious and stable stages," he indicated.

The parties to the conflict in Yemen agreed to extend said agreement until August 2, coinciding with the beginning of the month of Ramadan, as announced by Grundberg himself, who made mediation efforts in the face of the pact, and who has already called new meetings of the committee of military coordination to avoid "a new cycle of violence".

The reactions to this new enlargement have not been slow. The European Union has welcomed the announcement. "The truce brokered by the UN special envoy has delivered tangible benefits for Yemeni men, women and children, marking the longest period of relative calm in Yemen in more than seven years," it said in a statement.

"The European Union urges the parties to maintain their commitment to the truce and continue to work urgently for the full implementation of all its elements. The opening of roads in Taiz and other governorates remains a priority in this regard," he said. .

In this sense, he has indicated that this decision "required responsible leadership and the will to do what is best for the Yemeni people", although he has urged that the parties take "additional measures to fulfill the full potential of the truce" .

"It is paramount that the parties continue to engage constructively with UN special envoy Grundberg's proposal for an expanded truce agreement, which seeks to address priority issues... The parties should also work to resume a Yemeni-led political process under under the auspices of the UN", he settled.

For her part, the director of the Norwegian Council for Refugees, who requested its extension on Monday, along with twenty other NGOs, including Save the Children and Oxfam Intermón, has received the decision positively.

"The announcement of a second extension of the truce today means that Yemenis will enjoy peace for at least another two months. Now is the time to make sure they enjoy it forever," he said in a statement.

Oxfam has spoken in the same terms, welcoming "with satisfaction" this movement and has urged "all parties to now prioritize the lives of Yemeni civilians and defend and comply with all areas of the agreement", adding that "it has The time has come" for all parties to "work towards a lasting and inclusive peace".

The war in Yemen pits the internationally recognized government, now represented by the Presidential Leadership Council and supported by a Saudi-led coalition, against the Iranian-backed Houthis. The Houthis control Sana'a and parts of the north and west of the country.