Sweden Talks; Parties Involved in Yemen 'Have Not Yet Reached Agreement on Key Issues'

Martin Griffiths, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, told reporters on December 10 that the parties involved in Yemen who went to Sweden for talks have not yet reached an agreement on some key issues such as the port of Hodeidah and Sanaa. Meanwhile, Mark Lowcock, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, stated that a ceasefire has not yet been established in Hodeidah, although it seems that the intensity of violence and clashes has decreased. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also reiterated his call for all parties to strive for a favorable outcome. The conflicting parties in the Yemen war, on one side the Houthis who control the capital and parts of the country, and on the other side the Yemeni government led by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who control Aden and other areas, sat down at the negotiating table in Sweden on December 6. The Houthis are supported by the Islamic Republic, while the Yemeni government is backed by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia. These negotiations have sparked some glimmers of hope for ending the Yemen war, yet there remains significant skepticism regarding their outcome. This sentiment is also evident in the recent statements from UN officials. Martin Griffiths told reporters, 'I hope we will reach an agreement on reducing violence (in Hodeidah and Taiz in southwestern Yemen). I hope, [but] we have not yet reached that stage.' Another issue, besides the ceasefire or reduction of tensions in Hodeidah and Taiz, is the reopening of Sanaa airport, the capital of Yemen, for which no agreement has yet been reached. This round of negotiations is set to continue until December 13, and Mr. Griffiths has indicated that another round of talks is planned for next year. This is the first time in two years that the conflicting parties have sat down at the negotiating table. On Sunday, Mark Lowcock announced that the UN needs $5 billion to assist 20 million Yemenis affected by the war and conflict. Nearly 70% of Yemen's total population currently needs assistance, and the UN is working to raise this amount, which, according to Lowcock, increases every year. A conference to support Yemen is scheduled for February 26, with the support of the UN, Switzerland, and Sweden. The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs emphasized that the port of Hodeidah is a 'vital' point for delivering aid to the people of Yemen. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted on Sunday that while negotiations continue in Sweden, 'the United States calls on all parties to continue engaging to achieve a favorable and positive outcome for the people of Yemen.'