UN Security Council Discusses Draft Resolution for Yemen Conflict

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations Security Council has begun discussions on a draft resolution aimed at resolving the conflict in Yemen, including a provision to send observers to monitor a possible cease-fire. The council was briefed by U.N. special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi on his fact-finding mission to the Middle East, which aimed to bring the Sanaa government and secessionists together for peace talks. However, Brahimi's mission did not achieve its expected results, and the council is now seeking to provide more support for future action.

Key Takeaways:

  • The draft resolution includes provisions for a cease-fire, a mechanism to monitor the cease-fire, and peace talks without preconditions.
  • The resolution will spell out a mechanism to underpin and sustain the cease-fire once it enters into force.
  • U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali and Brahimi will discuss with the Yemeni parties how to set up an observer force to supervise the cease-fire.
  • The council has adopted two resolutions on Yemen: Resolution 924, which called for a cease-fire and a fact-finding mission, and the current draft resolution being discussed.
  • Fighting in Yemen erupted in early May after the country's vice president demanded separation of the two parts that merged in 1990 under the leadership of the northern government.
  • The Sanaa government, headed by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and secessionists in southern Yemen have been involved in ineffective cease-fire declarations.
  • British U.N. Ambassador David Hannay stated that the council may act on the draft resolution as early as Wednesday.

Statistics:

  • The U.N. Security Council has drafted a resolution containing elements for a solution to the conflict in Yemen.
  • The council has adopted two resolutions on Yemen: Resolution 924 and the current draft resolution being discussed.
  • The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since early May.
  • Flying in Yemen erupted in May after the country's vice president demanded separation.

Sources:

  • [1] The New York Times (author JT Nguyen at the United Nations, no date)
  • [2] No additional sources mentioned in the provided text