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UN speaker urges UN-led political process in Yemen and calls for release of detained UN staff
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Summary
Hans Grenberg told the Security Council that recent moves in southern Yemen have destabilized fragile gains, urged an inclusive UN-led political process, and called for the immediate release of detained United Nations personnel in Sana'a.
Hans Grenberg, Speaker, told the United Nations Security Council that recent developments in southern Yemen threaten fragile stabilization and that only a comprehensive, UN-facilitated political process can deliver durable peace.
"The future of the South cannot be determined by any single actor or through force," Grenberg said, urging inclusive internal deliberation and a Yemeni-wide political process under UN auspices. He warned that the de-escalation achieved since 2022 was temporary and that without a coordinated approach the country risks "recurrent and destabilizing cycles."
Grenberg said that security in parts of southern Yemen remained fragile. He reported that in December forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council sought to expand their presence in Hadramaut and Al Mahra, and that in early January government-aligned units, including the so-called "nation shield forces" with support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, moved to reassert control and were deployed to Aden and other government-held areas to secure administrative, economic and military infrastructure.
He highlighted recent diplomacy, saying he had engaged with Yemeni actors and regional partners in Cairo, Muscat and Riyadh to help diffuse tensions. Grenberg welcomed a Saudi-hosted dialogue convened by "President Rashad Al Aleem" that includes a range of southern actors and described it as an opportunity to advance inclusive political engagement.
Referring to last month's Muscat meeting held under UN auspices, Grenberg said the government, the coalition and Ansar Allah had agreed on a number of conflict-related detainees to be released in a next phase under an "all-for-all" principle. He said implementation still requires agreement on the names of detainees to be released and that the onus is on the parties to move from agreement to action.
Grenberg expressed deep concern about the detention of United Nations personnel and other staff in Sana'a, saying Ansar Allah had detained additional personnel and referred some to a special criminal court. He urged the authorities in Sana'a to release detained UN staff immediately and called on regional and international actors to use their influence to secure those releases. "There is nothing preventing these releases but political will," he said.
He closed by urging Yemeni leaders to pursue politics rather than force and stressing that unified Security Council support for a UN-facilitated political process will be critical to steering Yemen toward stabilization and a comprehensive peace process. The Council then moved to the next speaker, Raja Sengham, who opened by saying Yemen's humanitarian crisis had further deteriorated.
No formal votes or Council decisions were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.
