Brussels, 27/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 27 April, the European Union welcomed the appointment of Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed as UN Special Envoy to Yemen.
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, 55, is from Mauritania and thus replaces Jamal Benomar, who resigned on 16 April. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is currently leading the UN mission for the fight against Ebola, having held different posts in the UN for 28 years - notably that of humanitarian coordinator for Yemen from 2012-2014.
“The EU stands ready to support him immediately in his efforts to reach an expeditious cessation of violence and to create the conditions for the resumption of inclusive political negotiations amongst Yemeni parties to provide a sustainable settlement to the current crisis”, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini stated.
“Only a broad political consensus achieved through inclusive negotiations can provide a sustainable solution, restore peace, and preserve the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen”, Mogherini's spokesperson added, quoting the EU Foreign Affairs Council conclusions of 20 April (see EUROPE 11298).
Despite the announcement of the Saudi-led air raids having ceased against the positions of the Houthis, the raids continue - especially on Aden. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)