YEMEN’S TRANSITION PROCEEDING BUT SERIOUS CHALLENGES REMAIN, SAYS UN ENVOY

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From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 4 Apr 2013 15:00:00 -0400
Subject: YEMEN'S TRANSITION PROCEEDING BUT SERIOUS CHALLENGES REMAIN,
SAYS UN ENVOY
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

YEMEN'S TRANSITION PROCEEDING BUT SERIOUS CHALLENGES REMAIN, SAYS UN ENVOY
New York, Apr 4 2013 3:00PM
The recent opening of the national dialogue conference is a major
milestone for Yemen's political transition, but serious challenges
remain, including unrest in the south of the country, a senior United
Nations official warned today.

Special Adviser Jamal Benomar said Yemen continues to stand as the
only example in the region of a peaceful negotiated transition that is
based on a comprehensive roadmap and a genuine national dialogue.

"The National Dialogue Conference has opened a new chapter in the
transition for which Yemenis are now writing their own pages… They are
now deciding their own future," he told reporters in New York after
briefing the Security Council in a closed-door session.

He said the opening on 18 March of the conference – which will feed
into a constitution-making process and pave the way for general
elections in 2014 – was "an historic moment" for Yemen, which has been
undergoing a democratic transition led by President Abdrabuh Mansour
Hadi.

"Groups, which only a year ago were engaged in armed clashes, are now
gathering in the same hall discussing a common future for their
country," he noted, adding that this is in marked contrast to the
tragic events of two years ago, when 45 peaceful demonstrators were
killed and 200 were injured on 18 March 2011.

At the same time, Mr. Benomar noted that "serious" challenges remain,
including unrest in the south of the country, where a civil
disobedience movement is now attracting large numbers to the streets.

"The calls for secession have grown. After nearly two decades of
discrimination, repression, and unaddressed legitimate grievances, the
people in the south are weary and sceptical of promises of reform.

"Many Yemenis agree that the resolution to the 'Southern question'
holds the key to the success of Yemen's transition," he added.

Mr. Benomar has been reaching out to leaders in the south and has
consistently conveyed the message that the only means to a resolution
is through dialogue.

"I am pleased to report that many have reaffirmed to me their
rejection of violence and their commitment to dialogue," he said.

"The Yemeni Government will need to undertake immediate
confidence-building measures in the south to address the long-standing
grievances of southerners over unlawful or illegitimate seizure of
property and unjust dismissals from military and civil service," he
added.

Another challenge for the country is the ongoing humanitarian crisis,
marked by lack of basic services, as well as alarming rates of food
insecurity and malnutrition, especially among children.

According to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), more than 10 million
people – almost half the country's population – are estimated to need
food assistance. In addition, child malnutrition rates are among the
highest in the world with close to half of Yemen's children under five
years – two million children – stunted and one million acutely
malnourished.

Mr. Benomar appealed to donors to fulfil their pledges to the 2013
Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan, which requires $716 million to
provide emergency and early recovery assistance to 7.7 million of the
country's most vulnerable. So far, the plan is only 22 per cent
funded.

He also said that attacks on infrastructure intensified during the
first week of the national dialogue, with nine attacks reported on
electricity transmission lines and five on fuel pipelines. There have
been several assassination attempts in Sana'a targeting Government
officials and, in one case, a delegate to the conference.

In addition, the transition timeline remains a serious challenge, with
less than a year remaining to hold the conference, and conduct the
constitution-making process, including the referendum, electoral
reforms, and the general elections.

Reforms to restructure and unify the armed forces have been announced,
but are still to be implemented, Mr. Benomar added.
Apr 4 2013 3:00PM
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