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UN extends sanctions against those undermining Yemen's political transition

Xinhua, February 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

The UN Security Council on Tuesday extended the sanctions on individuals and parties threatening the ongoing political transition in Yemen for another year, while expressing concerns over the current violence and wide- ranging challenges in the Arab country.

In a resolution unanimously adopted here, the Council renewed until Feb. 26 2016 the assets freeze and travel ban measures against individuals and organizations undermining the peaceful transition process in Yemen, which was imposed by resolution 2140 a year ago.

It also extended the mandate of the panel of experts monitoring their implementation until March 25, 2016.

The 15-nation body expressed concern about ongoing violence in Yemen and the political, security, economic and humanitarian challenges facing the country, as they reiterated their call for all parties to "adhere to resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation, reject acts of violence to achieve political goals, and refrain from provocation."

The Council also reaffirmed the need for the full and timely implementation of the political transition following the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, in line with the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative and Implementation Mechanism, the Peace and National Partnership Agreement, and in accordance with previous resolutions and the expectations of the Yemeni people.

This follows a resolution adopted just last week in which the Council demanded the Shiite Houthi militias in Yemen "immediately and unconditionally" withdraw from government and security institutions, and called on all Yemeni parties to engage in good faith in the UN-brokered political talks.

The security situation in Yemen worsened after the Shiite Houthi group took over control of capital Sanaa last September after deadly clashes with government forces.

As one of the most impoverished countries in the world, Yemen has seen power struggle since January when President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and Prime Minister Khaled Bahah submitted resignations in protest against the Houthi group's takeover of the capital. Then the Houthi militia put Hadi and Bahah under house arrest.

Under the mediation of UN secretary- general's special adviser for Yemen Jamal Benomar, the countries' political parties resumed talks on Feb. 9 to resolve the crisis. Endite