The UN Security Council unanimously extended for six months the political mission overseeing the peace agreement in Yemen between the government and Houthi militias, United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA).
The President of the Security Council announced the approval of the 15 members to the proposal submitted by UK to renew the mandate of UNMHA, which monitors the city and port of Hodeidah, as well as the ports of Salif and Ras Issa, according to Stockholm in December 2018.
The renewed resolution is similar to an earlier resolution, however, the Council also requested the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council every month about progress in implementing the Agreement and provide a review of UNMHA at least one month before its mandate is due to expire.
As the Security Council renewed its support for the agreement reached in Sweden, it reiterated its call for the parties to implement the agreement, noting that UNMHA will continue to have the following four-point mandate:
- Lead and support the functioning of the Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) to oversee the governorate-wide ceasefire, redeployment of forces, and mine action operations.
- Monitor the compliance of the parties to the ceasefire and the mutual redeployment of forces from Hodeidah and the ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Issa.
- Work with the parties so that the security of the city and ports is assured by local security forces in accordance with Yemeni law.
- Facilitate and coordinate UN support to assist the parties to fully implement the Hodeidah agreement.
In its Resolution 2505, the Security Council reiterated its approval of the Secretary-General's proposals regarding the mission and aspects of its operations, in accordance with a letter addressed to members of the Council at the end of 2018.
It stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination between all United Nations entities operating in Yemen in order to prevent duplication of efforts and maximize the use of available resources.
The letter also called upon the Secretary-General to expedite the full deployment of UNMHA, calling on the parties of the Hodeidah Agreement to support the United Nations and ensure the safety and security of its personnel, their movement, and the transportation of its equipment and basic supplies to Yemen.
