UN’s Ban Welcomes Swearing In Of Yemen’s Unity Government

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed on Saturday the swearing in earlier of a Government of National Unity in Yemen, and called on sides to work towards the implementation of an inclusive transition process, his press office said in a statement.

“The formation of the Government of National Unity marks an important milestone in implementing the transition agreement as well as Security Council resolution 2014. The Secretary-General calls upon all sides to work towards the full implementation of an inclusive Yemeni-led transition process, giving all Yemenis including women and the youth, a true stake in the country’s future,” the statement said.

This, it stressed, will be “essential for putting the country on a path towards restoring peace and stability, and to lay the foundation for economic recovery.”

It noted that Special Adviser Jamal Benomar and his team are currently in Yemen are working closely with all Yemeni stakeholders, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Security Council members and other international partners.

Ban commended the political leadership of Vice-President Abd al-Rabuh Mansur Hadi, Prime Minister Mohammad Basandwa and the cooperation from all sides that enabled the timely formation of this Government, in accordance with the transition agreement signed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 23 November.

Today’s move came as a result of months of protests which ousted President Ali-Abdullah Salah who ruled the country for 33 years.