Yemen

1. Latest developments in New York

 On 12 April 2013, the Security Council welcomed, in a press statement, the decrees issued by President Hadi on the reorganization of the Yemeni security sector, in compliance with the Transition Agreement and Security Council Resolutions.

 On 4 April 2013, Mr. Jamal Benhomar, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General, presented to the Security Council the situation in Yemen, after the launch of the National Dialog Conference on 18 March. The French Representative welcomed this milestone in the yemeni transition, while calling for a better inclusion of Southern leaders in the process.

 On 15 February 2013, the Security Council adopted a presidential statement on the situation in Yemen. The 15 member States welcoming the convening of a national dialogue on 18 March and threatening to impose sanctions on those who would attempt to disrupt the political transition, especially supporters of former President Ali Abdallah Saleh.

  The complete timeline of events here.

2. Background

Since 27 January 2011, peaceful protests have multiplied in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, and in other cities, calling for the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in power since 1978.

On 3 February, following a speech by President Saleh promising the establishment of a national unity government and elections, a "day of anger" attracted between 20,000 and 100,000 people around the place Tahrir in Sana’a.

In March, the movement was joined by the parliamentary opposition and by major tribes. Some army generals also joined the opposition to demand the resignation of President Saleh.

The government tried to suppress the mass protests by force, leaving many dead and wounded. By 19 April 2011, more than 117 demonstrators had been killed in clashes with security forces, including at least 26 children according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

In early April, the monarchies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain) initiated a mediation effort and on 10 April called on the Yemeni president to cede power to his vice President.

On 12 April 2011, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs expressed France’s support to this mediation:

"We reiterate our full support to the mediation proposal made on 3 April by the Cooperation Council of Arab Gulf states, to promote a quick solution to the Yemeni crisis and allow a peaceful political transition. We urge all Yemeni parties to accept this mediation in the interest of peace and of the unity, stability and security of Yemen. "

(April 2013)

3. French statements

 4 December 2012 - Security Council - Situation in Yemen - Statement by Mr. Martin Briens, Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations

 24 October 2011 - Security Council - Debate on the Middle East - Statement by Mr. Gérard Araud, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations

 21 April 2011 - Security Council - Situation in the Middle East – Statement by Mr. Gérard Araud, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations

4. Reference texts

 12 April 2013 - Security Council Press Statement

 15 February 2013 - Security Council Presidential Statement on the situation in Yemen

 13 September 2012 - Security Council press statement on terrorsit attack in Yemen

 12 June 2012 - Security Council - resolution 2051

 29 March 2012 - Security Council - presidential statement

 21 October 2011 - Resolution 2014

 24 September 2011 - Security Council Press Statement

 9 August 2011 - Security Council Press Statement