United Nations envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths expressed on Monday his “disappointment” with the Southern Transitional Council’s (STC) declaration of self-rule in southern Yemen, calling for the immediate implementation of the Riyadh Agreement.
“The latest turn of events is disappointing, especially as the city of Aden and other areas in the south have yet to recover from flooding and are facing the risk of COVID-19,” he said in a statement.
He further called for expediting the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, with the support of the Coalition led by Saudi Arabia.
The success of this agreement should deliver benefits to the people in the south, particularly in terms of improved public services and security, stressed Griffiths.
“Now, more than ever, all political actors must cooperate in good faith, refrain from taking escalatory actions, and put the interests of Yemenis first”, he stated.
“The Riyadh Agreement provides for the participation of the STC in consultations on the final political solution to end the conflict in Yemen and serving the interests of Yemenis nation-wide,” he added.
The European Union expressed its rejection of the STC announcement.
Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano in a statement to reporters in Brussels considered the move as an impediment to UN efforts to reach stability and peace in Yemen.
"There is an agreement reached in November in Saudi Arabia that helps to reduce the escalation in Yemen. We call on the Yemeni government and all parties to implement all terms of the peace agreement."
Stano stressed that the STC’s move "will bring problems and obstacles to the United Nations efforts to reach peace and stability in Yemen."
