The ceasefire in Hodeidah is and remains crucial – for the launch of a political peace process, for the opportunity of agreeing on a nationwide ceasefire, and for alleviating the humanitarian disaster in Yemen. It is therefore right for us to contribute to this effort by providing German experts.

By taking this decision, Germany has responded to a request from the United Nations. Germany will sustain its efforts to support a peaceful and viable solution to the conflict in Yemen under UN auspices, although we know that the road is long and the process remains both complex and fragile. Many questions regarding the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement of late 2018 remain unresolved.

For that reason, our political engagement is underpinned by practical measures. Together with the United Nations, we have provided initial funds for the Peace Support Facility for Yemen with a view to promoting confidence-building measures between the parties to the conflict. Germany’s participation in UNMHA has the same goal.

It is however clear that it is the parties to the conflict who must go down this road themselves.