Yemen peace talks to resume – UN

The Punch - Nigeria

The UN has announced that talks between rival Yemeni parties will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 28 in a bid to end over seven weeks of war.
Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary-general, said on Wednesday the May 28 meeting was to “restore momentum towards a Yemeni-led political transition process” after weeks of conflict that have left 1,850 dead.
“The secretary-general is pleased to announce the launch of inclusive consultations starting on 28 May in Geneva to restore momentum towards a Yemeni-led political transition process,” the UN statement issued in New York said.
It said the initiative, which would bring together the Yemeni government and other parties, including the Houthis, followed extensive consultations by the secretary-general’s special envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.
The announcement came after a three-day Riyadh Conference for Saving Yemen and Building Federal State ended with a final declaration which emphasised the federal nature of Yemen’s future state.
The three-day conference had been due to be announced last week, but the UN demanded that there be a halt in fighting for the talks to go ahead.