December 15, 2014
The Group of Ten Ambassadors have, since the signing of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement on 21 September, repeatedly called for its full and rapid implementation both in public, and in private conversations with all signatories of the Agreement.
The Group of Ten Ambassadors and the countries we represent continue to believe that the GCC Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, and subsequently the NDC outcomes form the most credible roadmap for meeting the Yemeni aspirations to build a nation which provides security, stability, justice, development, equality and opportunity for all of its people. We welcome the ongoing efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council to support the people of Yemen.
The Group of Ten Ambassadors welcome the constructive steps taken by President Hadi and by the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Khalid Bahah to implement key provisions of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement, as indicators of the seriousness and commitment of this Government to the task of leading Yemen towards the future envisioned in the National Dialogue outcomes. We continue strongly to support the unity of Yemen, with a transition from a unitary state to the Federal State structure in accordance with the NDC outcomes and the new constitution.
The Group of Ten Ambassadors believe that all those groups who participated in the National Dialogue have a role to play along with the Government in turning the NDC outcomes into a reality. However we condemn the use or threat of violence by any party under the pretext of furthering the Peace and National Partnership Agreement or NDC outcomes.
The Group of Ten Ambassadors, as Guarantors of the GCC Initiative and as supporters of the NDC outcomes have watched with increasing concern the delays and dissembling around implementation of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement agreement by its signatories. Such actions call into question the sincerity with which these parties entered into the Peace and National Partnership Agreement.
The Group of Ten Ambassadors are concerned in particular by the lack of progress on the following articles which risk undermining Yemen’s security and the political stability:
- Article 7 of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement on biometric voter registration preparation, and preparations for both a referendum on the constitution and elections.
- Article 8 of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement on development of consensus on the new constitution.
- Article 14 of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement on a discontinuation of political, public and media escalation and inflammatory campaigns.
- Article 15 of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement on dismantling all unofficial checkpoints in and around Sana’a with the start of the formation of the new government;
- Article 5 in the Security Annex of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement on a cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire in al Jawf and Marib; the withdrawal of all armed groups coming from outside these governorates; and a restructuring of authorities in these regions.
The Group of Ten Ambassadors call on all parties to take steps to implement the above articles.
The Group of Ten Ambassadors calls for the Government of Yemen to reform and strengthen the Yemeni Security Forces in accordance with the NDC outcomes and Peace and National Partnership Agreement. We believe that it is only through the efforts of all parties to build appropriately sized and structured Yemeni security forces drawn from all regions of the country that the security of Yemen will be put on a sustainable footing. In this context we encourage integration of forces through an agreed disarmament process.
The Group of Ten Ambassadors welcomes the efforts of the United Nations and Jamal Benomar, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General on Yemen in his work to monitor violations of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement, support on the resolution of any disputes related to its interpretation and implementation and support security sector reform.
The Group of Ten Ambassadors continue to condemn the terrorist activities of AQAP. We abhor the attacks on the residence of the Iranian Ambassador on December 3, on the 1st Military Regional Command in Sayoun on 9 December and the ongoing campaign of attacks against legitimate state security officials and institutions.
The Group of Ten Ambassadors welcomes the presentation to Parliament of the Government’s programme, as specified by Article 2 of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement. We recognise the cross-party support for the Government and its programme. Such political consensus is essential to improve the situation in Yemen. We underline our commitment to support President Hadi and the Government of Yemen in their activities to deliver this programme, including through technical support to Ministries and humanitarian support to the people of Yemen.
