Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council
meeting on Yemen.
"Thank you President and thank you Special Envoy Grundberg and
Director Wsornu for your briefing. We are grateful for all the
work you and your teams are doing to bring sustainable peace and
humanitarian relief to the Yemeni people.
President, since we last met, the Houthis have continued
their reckless attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
The UK offers our condolences to the families of the
innocent crew killed and injured during their recent attack on
the MV TRUE CONFIDENCE, targeted while en-route from China to
Saudi Arabia.
In recent days, similar actions have resulted in the sinking of
the fertiliser laden MV RUBYMAR and continue to risk exacerbating
the humanitarian crisis Yemen. These attacks are impacting all of
us. Ships from around the world are being targeted.
It has also been more than 100 days since the seizure of MV
GALAXY LEADER and its crew, who continue to be unlawfully
detained. We call for the immediate release of the vessel and her
crew.
The Houthis alone are risking further escalation.
The United Kingdom condemns these abhorrent attacks and we call
on the Houthis to stop the attacks, to respect the freedom of
navigation of all vessels, and to de-escalate tensions in the Red
Sea.
President, today the Council will hear an update from the UN
Verification and Inspection Mechanism, UNVIM, which monitors
ships entering Yemeni ports.
The inspection of vessels is fundamental to interrupting illicit
arms entering Houthi-controlled areas, while preserving the flow
of goods into Yemen. Nearly 90% of all food in Yemen comes
through commercial imports so maintaining the integrity of these
ports is vital.
Reports of Iranian ships circumventing these inspections are
therefore extremely concerning. The UK calls on Iran to cease its
unlawful support for the Houthis. All ships entering Hudaydah
must comply and report to UNVIM for inspection.
We recommit our support to UNVIM, so it has the necessary
capacity and funding to ensure Yemenis have access to essential
goods while abating the smuggling of illicit arms.
Finally, President, the peace process in Yemen remains critical,
as Special Envoy Grundberg has set out. We urge all stakeholders
and parties to the conflict to prioritise the peace process and
build on the progress made by the Special Envoy. This is the best
opportunity for sustainable peace in Yemen in nine years. We must
take it."
