Members of the international community in Sana’a are profoundly concerned by recent developments in Yemen. The use of violence to achieve political means or overturn legitimate institutions is unacceptable. The President and government resigned in response to the pressures it had been under from spoilers seeking to derail the transition process.
The people of Yemen have suffered enough and they continue to face significant humanitarian and security challenges, including armed militias operating outside the framework of the state, illegal checkpoints and the threat from Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Those who have brought the country in recent weeks to this situation should be accountable to the Yemeni people, more than half of whom live below the poverty line, and who will be hardest hit by recent events.
The continuation of the peaceful and legitimate political process must be the goal of all Yemenis with transparency and a clear timetable and based on the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, the Peace and National Partnership Agreement and the remaining tasks of the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative, including a constitution, referendum and elections. We note that abducting or holding any Ministers or government officials under effective house arrest is entirely illegitimate.
We call on all parties to refrain from violence and to work together peacefully towards a brighter future for Yemen.
G10 and co-signed by Germany, Japan, Netherlands and Spain
