Muscat (South24)

The United Nations (UN) envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, met earlier today with the head of the Houthi negotiating delegation, Mohammed Abdul Salam, in Muscat, Oman, to discuss the UN roadmap for Yemen, according to a statement from Grundberg’s office.

In a post on X, the UN envoy’s office wrote: “Envoy Hans Grundberg met Mohammed Abdul Salam in Muscat to discuss the UN roadmap which will operationalize the parties’ commitments to a nationwide ceasefire, measures to improve living conditions in Yemen, and the resumption of an inclusive political process under UN auspices.”

“He also met senior Omani officials in Muscat to discuss sustaining concerted regional support for UN mediation efforts,” the statement added.

On January 7, Grundberg met with the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Rashad Al-Alimi in Riyadh. The meeting also discussed the roadmap, according to Grundberg’s office.

On December 23, Grundberg announced an update in reaching a UN-sponsored roadmap for ending the war in Yemen.

In a press release from his office, Grundberg welcomed the PLC’s and Houthis’ “commitment to a set of measures to implement a nation-wide ceasefire, improve living conditions in Yemen, and engage in preparations for the resumption of an inclusive political process under UN auspices”.

On December 25, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which seeks to restore the state of South Yemen, declared their refusal to welcome the roadmap announced by Grundberg. The STC stipulated the completion of consultations with the active parties in Yemen and the establishment of a special negotiating framework for South Issue as a prerequisite for approving any peace efforts.

Related: STC refuses to welcome the statement of the UN envoy to Yemen 

On January 6, Grundberg told Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat: “[the] South Issue is a pivotal issue. I stress the necessity of consensus on the southern issue in a peaceful manner based on dialogue within the framework of a political process that includes Southern voices.”