UN envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh, admitted that the last round of Yemeni negotiations “Geneva 2.0” was taken on with haste, and resulted in some errors. He confirmed his will to avoid those mistakes during the next round, whose date is yet not set.

“We do not want to rush into the upcoming round … we did that last time, and that led to some lapses. We aspire to prepare for the upcoming round differently” Ould Cheikh, told Asharq Al-Awsat pointing out his desires for preparing a new agenda that, addresses subjects like ending all the provocation taking place on the borders with Saudi Arabia in addition to all media aggravations.

Moreover, the UN envoy said that, before going into a new round of negotiations, he would like to plan for a cease fire and work on building trust between parties, and free the kidnapped.

Ould Cheikh pointed out him receiving promises from Houthis on releasing the former defense minister, Major General Mahmoud al-Subaihi, brother of the Yemeni President Nasser Hadi, and Brigadier Faisal Rajab confirming that they are all still alive and in good health.

The UN envoy seemed very optimistic regarding the success of his efforts this time, stressing that a cease fire cannot be realized if the enflaming of the borders with Saudi Arabia, threatening its security, continues.
He also confirmed that the process of freeing up kidnapped officials from Yemen’s legitimate government will soon begin.

As for the blockade on Taiz, Ould Cheikh revealed that UN missions have been able to visit the area, clarifying that the humanitarian coordinator will be taking down all notes, and sending them over to him, on the subject of whether human relief has truly reached Taiz.