Western diplomats expect members of the UN Security Council to vote within days, most likely on Wednesday, on a draft resolution on the deals struck by Yemen’s warring parties.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths has called for a "strong and effective" monitoring mechanism in the Red Sea city of Hodeidah to ensure the ceasefire is respected and humanitarian aid delivered to millions of needy people throughout the country.
However, the Permanent Representative of Yemen to the United Nations, Abdullah al-Saadi, urged the Security Council to implement its decisions on Yemen, in particular Resolution 2216, indicating that there was no need for further resolutions.
Griffiths gave a video briefing from Amman, Jordan, stating that during the consultations held between Yemen’s warring sides in Sweden, the parties approved several clauses listed in the Stockholm Agreement, which came into force on December 13.
The envoy said that all parties made concessions. He then thanked Saudi Crown Prince Prince Mohammed bin Salman for personally supporting this process and agreements.
Describing the achievements as "a significant step forward," Griffiths also urged caution saying "what's in front of us is a daunting task... and the hard work is only about to begin."
Griffiths pointed out the cease-fire agreement in Hodeidah includes "phased but rapid mutual withdrawals from both the three Hodeidah ports and the city."
It also gives the UN a leading role in managing and carrying out inspections at the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa which must "happen within days," he said.
"The United Nations is asked to monitor the compliance of the parties to these commitments. I am sure this Council will want to address this requirement," said Griffiths.
The envoy revealed that at the instruction of the secretary-general, relevant UN departments in New York and elsewhere are already active on the planning for urgent deployment in line with the Security Council’s expected decisions.
"The Council has for months called for just such an agreement; I believe we now have it," Griffiths said.
For his part, UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock told the Council that "the good news we have heard this week has not yet had any material impact on the millions of people who need assistance."
He said the results of the latest analysis of the crisis "decisively confirm Yemen's descent toward famine," with more than 20 million people hungry and in need of aid. This includes, for the first time, 250,000 people facing "catastrophe," which is defined as "starvation, death and destitution," he said.
Lowcock called for greater access for aid workers, increased humanitarian funding, and billions of dollars to stabilize Yemen's economy.
The agreement on Hodeidah reached in Sweden offers hopes for a real cessation of hostilities, he said. "As the details (of the agreement) are being worked out, we continue to call for a full cessation of hostilities across the country."
"Up to now, we have only seen a reduction in fighting in some areas, not a full cessation. In the last week, nearly 450 conflict incidents were reported across Yemen, about a third of them in Hodeidah."
He pleaded the warring parties to continue to engage seriously with Griffiths in the peacemaking process, including implementing the agreements reached in Sweden.
US Ambassador Nikki Haley said the Council "must be ready to act if one or more of the parties fails to follow through" on implementation.
UK Ambassador Karen Pierce welcomed the agreements reached in Stockholm, asserting that “people have been put first. We commend all parties on this important step.”
She warned that "we have no time to lose," reiterating the need to bring about tangible improvements for the people of Yemen as swiftly as possible.
During the briefing on Yemen, Pierce pledged that the "Council will do its very best to stay united and work tirelessly throughout UN to support what's been achieved and move it on to the much desperately needed next stage."