A3 JOINT-STATEMENT AT THE UNSC BRIEFING ON YEMEN

  Delivered by

H.E. Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman

Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations

14th January 2026

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3, namely, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, and my own country, Somalia.

2. We thank the Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of the Humanitarian Sector Division at OCHA, for their comprehensive update on the humanitarian situation.

3. We welcome the participation of the Permanent Representatives of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates in this meeting.

4. The A3 remains deeply concerned by the continued fragility of the situation in Yemen, which persists at the intersection of political uncertainty, humanitarian distress, and regional security risks.

5. While large-scale hostilities have not returned to previous levels, recent developments underscore how quickly localized tensions can escalate and place civilians, humanitarian operations, and political processes at risk.

6. The A3 reaffirms its strong support for UN-led mediation efforts and for the role of the Special Envoy in facilitating an inclusive, Yemeni- owned, and Yemeni-led political process.

7. In this context, we are closely following developments in the south and east of the country, where tensions between the Government of Yemen and the Southern Transitional Council have underscored the fragility of existing arrangements.

8. At the same time, the A3 welcomes the Riyadh process and takes note of the Southern Transitional Council's recent announcement of its disbandment.

9. Recent signs of de-escalation on the ground over the past several days, including shifts in territorial control and steps that have contributed to improved stability in parts of Aden.

10. The reopening of Aden airport and the lifting of curfews are positive developments, particularly from a humanitarian and civilian- protection perspective.

11. We encourage all parties to consolidate these gains through restraint, dialogue, and adherence to existing commitments, and to avoid actions that could reverse progress.

12. The A3 stresses that political cohesion among Yemeni actors remains essential.

13. Internal rivalries and unilateral measures risk further fragmenting the country and undermining prospects for a durable settlement.

14. We therefore urge Yemeni parties to engage constructively in dialogue, including within ongoing discussions, and to prioritize the broader national interest of the Yemeni people over short-term political calculations.

15. We thank OCHA and its partners for their continued humanitarian efforts under extremely challenging conditions.

16. While the situation in Aden has improved sufficiently to allow humanitarian operations to continue, activities outside the city remain cautious.

17. Recent clashes have affected hundreds of households in Hadramout, and while some areas have seen relative stabilization, conditions on the ground do not yet allow for clear assessments regarding the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of internally displaced persons.

18. The A3 agrees that it remains too early to determine whether such returns can be facilitated, noting that premature movements could lead to further displacement and heightened vulnerability.

19. The A3 remains deeply concerned by the situation in the north of the country, where there has been no significant change.

20. We reiterate our grave concern regarding the continued detention of UN personnel and other staff by the Houthis.

21. The prolonged detention of dozens of individuals, including those whose legal status remains unclear, is unacceptable.

22. We call for their immediate and unconditional release and urge all parties with influence to continue engaging in good faith to resolve this issue swiftly.

23. The humanitarian situation in Yemen remains among the most severe globally.

24. The A3 is alarmed by persistent funding shortfalls, with last year’s response plan significantly underfunded and 2026 projections indicating continued global constraints on humanitarian financing.

25. We call on donors to maintain and, where possible, increase support for life-saving assistance, while emphasizing the importance of timely, flexible, and predictable funding.

26. The A3 strongly encourages all Yemeni parties to demonstrate renewed urgency and responsibility in advancing a Yemeni-owned and Yemeni-led political process, and calls on all stakeholders in Yemen to engage constructively at this critical juncture in order to move decisively toward a sustainable political settlement.

27. In closing, the A3 reaffirms its unwavering commitment to Yemen’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence.

28. We underscore that Yemen’s path to lasting peace lies not in military escalation or political division, but in dialogue, compromise, and sustained international engagement.

29. The Security Council must remain united in supporting de-escalation, humanitarian access, and meaningful progress toward a negotiated political settlement that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people.