Time is running out in Yemen, spoilers known but not named!

Time is running out in Yemen, spoilers known but not named!

Source: UNSC, 08/02/2103

The UN special envoy to monitor transitional period in Yemen Jamal bin Omar briefed the Security Council late Thursday on the latest developments in the conflict-torn country. 

Maria Soraya Manuel, from Bin Omar's office sent the brief of the brief as follows: 

Yemen Briefing

Special Adviser Jamal Benomar - 7 February 2013 -

• I have just briefed the Security Council after my 18th visit to Yemen and consultations with senior officials in Riyadh and Doha.

• I told the Council that Yemen is at a critical point in its transition – they are halfway through the political transition in terms of timeline, but the tasks ahead are tremendous with the National Dialogue Conference, a process of constitution-making leading to a referendum and new general elections – all proscribed within one year.

• Important measures have been taken since I last briefed the council: the President has announced the start of the National Dialogue for 18 March, and he has taken important steps through a series of decrees:

-- a bold decree in December restructuring the armed forces under regional commands.

-- an important confidence building measure for the South in establishing two (2) commissions to inquire into long-standing grievances over unlawful seizure of property and over unjust dismissals from the civil service and military.

• And while progress has been made and the transition remains largely on track, it is clear that there has been active resistance to the transition. And the Council has heard in no uncertain terms during their recent visit to Yemen that acts of obstruction are impeding the transition and it is clear to whom these are attributable to.

• As I mentioned in my briefing, the challenges within this upcoming year are a formidable undertaking for any country, much less one that faces so many concurrent challenges.

• While the bleeding has stopped on the economic contraction, Yemenis are still waiting to see tangible improvements in their daily lives. 

The government needs to accelerate the establishment of a mechanism to absorb donor funded programs, and the donors, in return, need to fulfil their commitments - I regret that very little of the $8 billion pledged by the donor community has been received.

• And the humanitarian crisis remains. This year’s Humanitarian Appeal needs have increased 22% from last year, totalling $716 million.

• The situation in Yemen remains fragile and many critical tasks lie ahead. For the transition to success and the risk for further violence to be averted, we must remain attentive to the continuing attempts to obstruct the transition. 

Within the coming year – in fact less than 12 months – much is left to be done in the transitional process. This will not be possible without the continued clear support of this Council.

• I told the Council that the ball is in their court. They will need to act now. There is no time for complacency. Time is running out and there will be no second chances.