I thank Special Envoy Griffiths and Under-Secretary-General Lowcock for their briefings.
Estonia remains deeply concerned about the continuing military escalation in Yemen, as it continues to cause immense suffering to the civilian population. It is especially worrying in the context of a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and a risk of widespread famine.
All parties must immediately put an end to the hostilities and engage with the efforts to end the war. There is no military solution to this conflict.
We condemn the Houthis’ continued assault on Marib, as it entails the threat of further mass displacement and aggravates the humanitarian crisis. It is positive that the UN has been able to start humanitarian flights to the Marib region. However, nearly 20 000 people have already been displaced since the beginning of February, with dozens injured or killed, and the IDP camps are overcrowded.
All parties must refrain from attacks to civilian areas and must ensure respect for international humanitarian law.
Estonia fully supports all diplomatic efforts made in order to end this conflict, particularly those by Special Envoy Griffiths, the United States and the Sultanate of Oman. We have also welcomed the announcement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on ways to end the crisis.
We encourage the parties to engage with these efforts, to show willingness to compromise and to agree to a sustainable and nationwide ceasefire, in order to move forward with an inclusive political process. It is important to ensure women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in the peace and political processes.
We urge the parties to take further practical steps to help build trust, including further agreements for prisoner exchanges. In addition, allowing more fuel ships to enter the port of Hodeidah would contribute to easing the dire humanitarian situation.
We also repeat our call upon the Houthi authorities to ensure immediate and full access to the SAFER oil tanker for the UN team, without further delay.
Finally, regarding the developments in the South, we reiterate our call on the Government and the Southern Transitional Council to implement the Riyadh agreement, which is an essential step in the path towards reaching a wider peace.