United Nations (UN) Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg in An Exclusive Interview with Al-Mushahid, Addresses Parties To the Conflict: Choose Dialogue Over Division for Yemen’s Sake.”

منذ 22 أيام

Grundberg: U

Designation is a Sovereign Decision…Mistrust and Escalatory Rhetoric represent key obstacles to the peace in Yemen

”Interviewed by Waheeb Al-NosariNumerous political and military developments—both local and regional—that are directly linked to the peace process in Yemen, have been emerging

Among these developments are the ongoing military escalation in the Red Sea and the re-designation of the Houthi group as a “foreign terrorist organization” by the United States, coinciding with a U

military campaign targeting Houthis-held areas in Yemen

How have these developments impact the peace path in Yemen and the UN-led efforts, led by its Special Envoy to Yemen, Mr

Hans Grundberg, to reach an inclusive peace agreement? How can such challenges be overcome? What is the UN’s position on these developments? And what mechanisms are being proposed to sustain the peace in Yemen?To obtain deep insights into those questions, the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Mr

Hans Grundberg, spoke in an exclusive and comprehensive interview with Al-Mushahid

Grundberg called on all parties to the conflict to make concessions and engage in negotiations to alleviate the suffering of a people yearning to end the war and achieve a fair peace in Yemen

He urged all parties to the Yemeni conflict to show courage and choose dialogue over division—for the sake of Yemen

Below is the full Interview:Al-Mushahid: How would you characterize the current situation in Yemen in light of the recent developments? Grundberg: Yemen is still reeling from ten years of conflict and millions of Yemenis are struggling under the weight of prolonged hardship

Regional developments, particularly in the Red Sea and the broader Middle East, including the tragedy in Gaza, attacks by Ansar Allah on commercial shipping and US airstrikes are increasing the risk of further escalation and complicating mediation efforts

While the 2022 truce succeeded in halting the heavy fighting at the time and has prevented it so far from resuming, it has not translated into lasting peace

We still see sporadic shelling, drone attacks, and troop mobilizations

In addition, the weaponization of the economy has inflicted deep and indiscriminate harm on most Yemenis and the situation keeps getting worse

This is not only unacceptable but a direct assault on the dignity and daily survival of Yemen’s civilian population

Yemeni men, women and children must be allowed to live their lives with all their citizens’ rights of health, work, education, freedom of movement and expression respected and protected

Despite these challenges, I am convinced that a negotiated political settlement remains the most viable, sustainable and pragmatic way to achieve these aims

To this end, I am continuing to work with the parties, as well as regional and international partners

It is of utmost importance that space for dialogue is preserved and that the parties commit to de-escalation and re-engage constructively with peace efforts—just as they have done several times in the past, most recently in achieving the 2022 truce and the 2023 commitments for a roadmap

Al-Mushahid: What are the latest developments in the mediation efforts you are leading, have the priorities changed? What are the main obstacles to achieving tangible progress toward peace? Grundberg: The obstacles are considerable

Deep mistrust and escalatory rhetoric from the parties, cycles of retaliatory attacks compounded with regional volatility, particularly in the Red Sea for the past eighteen months, risk undermining the relative calm within Yemen and have shrunk the mediation space

That said, the overarching priorities – repeatedly and consistently voiced by Yemenis are unchanged

These priorities, which the parties have acknowledged and committed to, include a lasting ceasefire with credible security arrangements, urgent economic steps — paying civil servant salaries and ensuring fuel is accessible —and a political process which brings Yemenis together to shape their future

The United Nations is here to help realize this vision, with Yemenis at the center of every conversation

To this end, my engagement, with the support of my office, is taking place at multiple levels—both diplomatic and technical—across the political, economic, and security tracks, as well as with the regional and international actors

For example, we have been engaging political parties, civil society, women, youth, and underrepresented groups to make sure the peace process reflects Yemen’s diversity and local realities

On the security front, my office has been working through the Military Coordination Committee – a platform created during the 2022 truce – to reduce tensions and avoid a slide back into full-scale conflict

On the economy, we’re working with all sides to prevent further collapse by proposing steps, like reopening roads to lower transport costs, stimulating the economic activity, and increasing purchasing power, especially critical as seventy percent of Yemenis live in poverty, with women being the most affected

We’re also exploring technical solutions to help support the independence of the central bank

A peace scenario, built on a ceasefire and economic settlement, could additionally restore oil and gas exports and attract vital investment

This may sound like a distant future and I am under no illusions about the difficulty of the road ahead

But I remain committed to turning these priorities into practical steps that move Yemen closer to lasting peace

Al-Mushahid: Following the U

designation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, how will this classification impact the peace process in Yemen? And do we expect a new round of UN-led dialogue between the parties? Grundberg: To be clear, the recent U

designation is a sovereign decision and its full implications, both political and humanitarian, are still unfolding

As I have said many times before, however, is that Yemen’s conflict will not be resolved through unilateral measures but rather through negotiations held in good faith and with the support of a coordinated international community

Only an inclusive political process can chart a viable path forward

On the United Nations’ part, we are continuing to engage with the parties, the region, and the international community on the core issues

Al-Mushahid: With regard to the developments in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab and the actions of the Houthis there, are these issues part of the negotiations between Yemeni parties, or are they being treated as a separate matter? And to what extent have the U

strikes on the Houthis impacted the peace process in Yemen? Grundberg: I have repeatedly warned against escalatory actions and the abandonment of dialogue, as this only adds pressure to an already fragile situation

As we have recently seen with strikes resulting in civilian deaths in Ras Isa, ordinary Yemenis are, as always, paying the price of war

Moreover, these developments don’t just affect international trade routes, but they also carry real consequences for Yemen’s internal stability and risk pulling the country further into regional confrontation

While the escalation in the Red Sea and strikes by the United States are not formally part of the Yemeni-Yemeni negotiations, it is becoming more difficult to separate the internal dynamics from the regional tensions

Solution-oriented dialogue is therefore urgent, and for this reason, I am calling not only for restraint and de-escalation but also for credible long-term guarantees that protect the Red Sea from becoming a prolonged arena of conflict

Such assurances are essential—not just for maritime security, but to keep Yemen from sliding further away from peace

Al-Mushahid: Many Yemenis have lost hope in the UN-led peace process and no longer trust the role of the United Nations in Yemen, as they feel it has not achieved anything tangible in their lives and their suffering continues due to the ongoing war

How do you respond to this perception? Grundberg: I’ve heard these concerns directly, and I take them seriously

I deeply understand the frustration and exhaustion felt by Yemenis after more than a decade of conflict

The truth is that this process was never going to be quick or easy

But I want to emphasize that while a comprehensive peace has not been achieved yet, some achievements show what is possible

The 2022 UN-brokered truce led to a sharp drop in violence and civilian casualties, and improved humanitarian access

It wasn’t perfect, but its impact was and continues to be real

The release of nearly 900 hundred conflict-related detainees in 2023 allowed families to reunite after years of separation

The commitments made by the parties in 2023 signaled another step forward, showing that dialogue is still possible, even in difficult conditions

Still, I know that these steps haven’t translated into the tangible change Yemenis need in their daily lives

That’s exactly why my focus has remained on achieving concrete progress toward a lasting ceasefire, real economic relief – including through measures that the parties can take immediately, and a political process that reflects the voices of all Yemenis

I am committed to work for real change on the ground which proves that the UN remains a partner Yemenis can count on

For this to work, the parties must engage in good faith, and demonstrate the courage and political will required to move forward

I do not have the power stop any party from engaging in war if that is what they really want

However, I will always remain available for active solution-making towards a negotiated settlement

Al-Mushahid: What mechanisms do you propose to ensure a permanent ceasefire, and how can trust be built between the conflicting parties in light of recent regional developments, particularly the Red Sea crisis? Grundberg: A lasting, nationwide ceasefire, agreed and respected by all is a unanimous demand of Yemenis, and the parties committed to it back in December 2023

Any ceasefire, while an important step toward peace must be built on trust in order to be sustainable

We have seen in our consultations —with military actors, political groups, civil society, women, and youth—that trust can be built over time through steady engagement, reciprocal actions, and keeping lines of communication open

My office continues to engage senior security actors and to facilitate discussions to prepare for a nationwide ceasefire once we are able to move forward

The communication channels that were built during the truce — particularly through the Military Coordination Committee – are still active, and they’re key to avoiding misunderstandings and preventing escalation

In a future ceasefire but also in our current efforts, practical steps such as opening roads and creating space for military representatives to meet, talk, and resolve perceived threats face-to-face are essential

Yemenis have long relied on local dispute resolution, the sustainability of which we also want to support

Finally, and importantly, no ceasefire will hold without strong international backing

Regional and international guarantees are essential

Unity in the Security Council matters, as does support from regional actors such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman, who have to date been hugely important in supporting the UN’s efforts in this regard, and who can help manage tensions on the ground and support implementation

Close interaction with Iran on this issue will also be important

Al-Mushahid: Given the rapid developments in Yemen and the Arab and regional landscape could you update us on the status of the UN-backed roadmap? Grundberg: In late 2023, the parties agreed on a set of commitments—a nationwide ceasefire, measures to address urgent economic and humanitarian issues, and to begin preparing for an inclusive political process

The UN was asked to help operationalize those commitments and structure a path forward through a UN roadmap

To me, it does not matter if we label this set of commitments as a ‘roadmap’ or by another name, as I am convinced that Yemen will need a ceasefire, economic recovery, and a political process in order to move forward and rebuild

Regional escalation, particularly in the Red Sea, has complicated the environment and hampered progress, but if anything, these developments have reinforced how urgently Yemen needs a political path forward

Al-Mushahid: Several UN national staff remain detained by Ansar Allah in Sana’a

What is your position on this, and how does the situation affect the UN’s work and credibility in Yemen? Grundberg: This is deeply personal—for me, for my team, and especially for the families of our detained colleagues

The arbitrary and prolonged detention of UN staff — as well as colleagues from international and national NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions— by Ansar Allah is not only unlawful, it is cruel

These are people who have dedicated their lives to helping others, and they should be home with their families

The death of our colleague Ahmed, a WFP staff member, while in custody was unacceptable

His family should never have had to mourn him under these circumstances

These detentions send a chilling message to those trying to support Yemenis, and it seriously undermines our ability to operate

The United Nations from the Secretary-General to all impacted UN agencies are actively engaged on this matter

I have consistently pushed for their releases in my engagements, including with senior Ansar Allah officials, regional actors and in Security Council members

While I am glad about the recent release of a staff member from the Dutch Embassy through Omani mediation, it goes without saying that this step alone is not sufficient

Hundreds of family members are still waiting to be reunited with their loved ones, many of whom have exhausted every possible avenue to make that a reality

The UN Secretary-General has made repeated clear calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining UN, diplomatic, and civil society personnel

We are doing everything in our power to secure their release

I hope Ansar Allah will act with reason and responsibility and take the necessary steps to bring this unacceptable situation to an end

Al-Mushahid: Why has the UN’s stance on including women in the peace process weakened compared to the stronger emphasis during the terms of previous envoys to Yemen? Grundberg: I appreciate the question, but I’d respectfully challenge the premise that our stance has weakened

My commitment to women’s inclusion in Yemen’s peace process remains steadfast

Women’s participation is essential, given their disproportionate burden in the conflict and their critical role in peacebuilding

Our message has been consistently clear to all parties that we’re not just maintaining but scaling up inclusive efforts to ensure women’s full and equal participation in the peace process across all areas

My office has engaged hundreds of Yemeni stakeholders— including women, youth, tribal leaders, and marginalized groups— through initiatives like “A bottom-up vision for an inclusive peace process” in several places inside and outside Yemen, through digital and in-person dialogues, focus groups, and outreach campaigns to ensure that women are not only present but are actively influencing decisions and outcomes in all three tracks

For example, in February, we convened Yemeni businesswomen to hear their voices and understand what is holding them back

We have integrated women’s perspectives directly into the political dialogue process, intentionally designed to ensure women’s active and substantive role

In parallel, our engagement with civil society organizations has included women-led and women-focused groups, ensuring that local actors—especially those working on the frontlines—are shaping both the agenda and the process

Al-Mushahid: Does the United Nations possess any pressure tools over the various parties obstructing the peace process? If so, what are they?Grundberg: The UN’s strength lies in its impartiality and convening power, not in coercive tools

We don’t wield direct pressure through sanctions or military force; our influence comes through dialogue, moral authority, and the ability to rally international consensus behind sustainable solutions

We use these to urge parties toward peace and do so in coordination with member states whose leverage, economic incentives, and diplomatic tools complement those of the UN

Ultimately, the true momentum for peace lies with Yemenis themselves, and our role is to support and guide that aspiration into a process that the parties agree on

Al-Mushahid: Finally, we thank the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Mr

Hans Grundberg, for answering our questions

Would you like to add anything in closing? Grundberg: Thank you for this opportunity

I’d just add this; Yemenis have endured unimaginable hardship, yet their resilience inspires me daily

To them, I say we see you, we hear you, and we won’t relent in our efforts to support your aspirations for peace

To the parties, I urge them to be courageous and to choose dialogue over division, for Yemen’s sake

And to the regional and international communities, let’s not turn away; Yemen’s future matters to us all

My team and I will continue tirelessly to support Yemenis to achieve peace, we can turn this long chapter of conflict into one of hope and renewal

Thank you

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