The Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Yemen Jamal Benomar briefed on Tuesday the Security Council on the progress of the political process in Yemen, the successful conclusion of the NDC, the remaining tasks and challenges ahead.

Below is his statement after the briefing:

I have just briefed the Security Council on return from my twenty-seventh mission to Yemen. I was pleased to report the conclusion to the National Dialogue Conference, which is a remarkable achievement. This process was comprehensive both in terms of participation and issued addressed. The National Dialogue was serious, deliberative and dynamic. The Yemenis should be congratulated for what they have accomplished.

Yemen is the only negotiated transition in the context of the Arab Spring. And now the country where the most genuine, transparent and inclusive national dialogue has taken place.

It was the courage of the Youth that took to the squares in 2011 that launched this process of change. Without their efforts, activism and, indeed, sacrifices, Yemen would not be where it is today.

The National Dialogue, in the context of agreement on the solution to the Southern Question, agreed to restructure the state on a federal basis, moving power away from the centre to the regional and local levels where people will have greater control over their destinies. The new federal, democratic Yemen will serve the people on the basis of equality, respecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms under the rule of law.

I told the Security Council that President Hadi exercised strong leadership in shepherding the NDC to its successful conclusion. He deserves all our support.

In a nutshell, Yemenis have developed the blueprint for a new system of democratic governance, setting the country on an upward and irreversibly trajectory.

Undoubtedly there is real progress in the transition and the beginnings of a new political culture in Yemen, yet the situation remains fragile. As the Security Council noted in its last press statement of 27 November 2013, elements of the former regime continue to manoeuvre to obstruct, frustrate and undermine the course of change, aiming to set back and bring down the transition.

I briefed the Council of this systematic pattern of obstruction, which constitutes a genuine threat that could plunge the country into chaos if the threat is not removed soon. All that has been invested and gained hangs in the balance.

I told the Council that the Yemeni people are doing their part and they are counting on this Council to do its part.

Finally, I am grateful to the Council for its confidence in and unanimous support for my role as the Special Adviser, exercising the good offices of the Secretary-General, to work with Yemenis in advancing their political transition.



Saba