A/HRC/45/CRP.7 beginning of 2020 several developments occurred undermining the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement.60 On 11 March, the Government of Yemen liaison officer at the City Max observation post was hit by a live bullet from a Houthi sniper. He was seriously wounded and died on 17 April as a result of the injury.61 The Government of Yemen withdrew its liaison officers from the ceasefire enhancement and de-escalation mechanism and suspended its participation in the Committee. On 15 April 2020, the composition of the observation mission in Al-Hudaydah was reduced to a twelve-member team.62 53. The United States of America continued to conduct military operations against AQAP in support of the Government of Yemen, including through drone strikes, but at a lower rate than in previous years. The most significant strike took place at the end of January 2020 and killed the leader of AQAP, Qasim Al-Rimi. 2. Political developments 54. The signing of the Stockholm Agreement in December 2018 brought hope of a political solution to the conflict. Less than a year later, the signing of the Riyadh Agreement on 5 November 2019 was meant to resolve tensions in the south between the Government of Yemen and the Southern Transitional Council. This had been preceded by informal talks between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia in September 2019.63 However, the implementation of both agreements has stalled. At present, despite the inclusive and participatory process led by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Yemen, there is little immediate prospect of peace. Notwithstanding an initial decrease in hostilities, there has been an intensification of fighting on the ground. 2020 has seen shifting power dynamics in the south. 55. On 25 March 2020, the United Nations Secretary-General made an urgent appeal for an immediate end to hostilities in Yemen, and for the parties to focus on reaching a negotiated political settlement and doing everything possible to counter COVID‑19.64 On 8 April, the coalition announced a unilateral ceasefire for an initial period of two weeks, which was extended for another month to support efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the Houthis issued a document for a proposed comprehensive ceasefire. However, neither party implemented the ceasefire and they have continued their military operations. 56. On 25 April 2020, Aidaroos al-Zubaidi, President of the STC declared a state of emergency in Aden and all the southern governorates, and announced the creation of a selfrule administration in the regions under its control.65 The Government of Yemen denounced this move as having “catastrophic consequences” for the Riyadh Agreement. Local authorities in the Governorates of Hadramaut, Shabwah, Al-Maharah, Abyan, and Socotra announced their rejection of the STC declaration of “self-administration” in southern Yemen, as did Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern at the STC’s 25 April declaration. They reaffirmed their strong commitment to Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and called for the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement to be expedited.66 While the STC abandoned its 60 S/2020/524. Available at : https://undocs.org/S/2020/524 Confidential source on file. 62 UN Document, S/2020/524. 63 The Riyadh agreement called for the formation of a new government, with up to 24 ministers consisting of equal numbers of northern and southern members, and for the integration of STCaffiliated forces into national military and security structures as part of an initiative that would see fighters and heavy weapons removed from towns and cities across the south. In addition, it stipulated that the STC should be included in government delegations to future UN-led talks with the Houthis over a political settlement to end the war. 64 See: https://osesgy.unmissions.org/briefing-united-nations-security-council-un-special-envoyyemen-%E2%80%93-mr-martin-griffiths-0 65 International Crisis Group, Heading Off a Renewed Struggle for Yemen’s South, 29 April 2020. Available at: https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/gulf-and-arabian-peninsula/yemen/headingrenewed-struggle-yemens-south 66 SC/14176. Available at: https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sc14176.doc.htm 61 18