All stakeholders should endeavour to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The German government has called on all parties to the conflict in Yemen to use the one-month break in negotiations now announced for constructive talks. "The UN-brokered negotiating process can only succeed if all parties to the conflict engage constructively," said Sawsan Chebli, deputy spokesperson of the Federal Foreign Office, at the government press conference on Monday. "We see no alternative to the process of negotiations."

No agreement at peace talks

It is regrettable that the UN-brokered peace talks ended without an agreement on 6 August after three and a half months. "That is a missed opportunity," declared Sawsan Chebli.

The parties to the conflict should refrain from all actions which could be an obstacle to continuing negotiations, she said. Negotiations have, for instance, been made more difficult by the appointment of a new governing body, known as the supreme political council, by the Houthi rebels and the General People’s Congress party. The announcement was made on 28 July in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen. "The fact that the members of this council were sworn in in front of only part of Yemen’s parliament is counterproductive and further damages the political process."

Cessation of hostilities must be respected

Sawsan Chebli pointed out that there has once again been an increase in fighting. The German government calls on all stakeholders in the conflict in Yemen to end violence immediately and seek a peaceful solution to the conflict. Only a solution that involves all parties to the conflict will bring lasting peace to Yemen, she added.

The German government expressed its support for Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen. It has also thanked the Emir of Kuwait, who has extended his hospitality to the delegations in his country during several months of negotiations.