(Dubai) Yemen is going through a “critical period”, the UN special envoy warned on Sunday, pleading for lasting peace, a year after a truce that drastically reduced fighting in the country.
The truce, brokered by the UN, is a “moment of hope”, said Swedish diplomat Hans Grundberg, judging that it was still largely respected, despite its expiration in October.
“But the most important promise of the truce is its ability to relaunch a political process aimed at a comprehensive and lasting end to the conflict,” he said, in a statement on the first anniversary of the truce.
Stressing that “there are still significant risks,” he called for “protecting the gains of the truce and building on them for more humanitarian assistance, a nationwide ceasefire and a political settlement.” sustainable development that responds to the aspirations of Yemeni women and men. »
According to him, the military escalation of recent weeks is a reminder of “the fragility of the achievements of the truce if they are not anchored in political progress towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. »
“At this critical time, any new temporary or partial arrangement must include a clear commitment from the parties that ensures it is a step towards a peaceful solution. »
But analysts doubt an immediate resolution to a very complex conflict, and the recent resumption of deadly fighting shows that the road to peace remains strewn with pitfalls.
The government and the Houthis “must be willing to sit down together and responsibly engage in serious dialogue. This is the measure of their commitment to a future political partnership,” Grundberg said.
The impact of the war has been devastating, with hundreds of thousands of people killed by direct and indirect causes and more than two-thirds of the population living below the poverty line, according to UN estimates.
“More than ever, now is the time for dialogue, compromise and a show of leadership and genuine will to achieve peace,” the UN envoy called.