By: M. Dinata *)
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said that Houthis and Saudi Arabia-led coalition need an “immediate cease-fire”. In his speech on The National Press Club Thursday, 16 April 2015, in Washington, Mr. Ban said that the only way to stop the conflict in Yemen is an “all sides” negotiation.
“The United Nations-supported diplomatic process remains the best way out of a drawn-out war with terrifying implications for regional stability,” Mr. Ban Ki-moon said. The cease-fire would reduce suffering, enable the delivery of humanitarian aid and, ideally, facilitate negotiations.
Mr. Ban also said that Yemenis’ condition today is highly depending on humanitarian assistance. Their level of food security is even lower than the poorest areas of Africa. He says, “Ordinary families are struggling to access health care, water, food and fuel – basic requirements for their survival.”
In order to push the negotiation to be held, U.N intend to send another special envoy to replaced the former envoy Jamal Benomar, whose already left his post this early week. Saudis believe there must be a political process to end this war, but they did not satisfied by the way Jamal Benomar approach to the Houthi. Mauritanian diplomat, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is chosen to be the replacement of Jamal Benomar.
*) The Author is Brunei Darussalam’s Contributor.
