The UN Security Council released a statement Wednesday expressing concern over the Southern Transitional Council’s (STC) declaration of self-administration in southern Yemen, and reaffirmed its commitment to Yemen’s unity. The 15-nation council also called for expediting the Riyadh Agreement’s implementation.

“[The council] expressed concern that the STC actions could distract from the efforts of Special Envoy Martin Griffiths to secure a nationwide ceasefire, confidence building measures, and the restart of a Yemeni-led and owned inclusive political process,” the Dominican Republic’s Permanent Representative to the UN José Singer Weisinger said in a statement as council president for the month of April. “[The council] urged the Government of Yemen and the Houthis to reinforce their engagement with a view to reaching agreement on the Special Envoy’s proposals as soon as possible.”

The council also urged the Houthis to reciprocate the unilateral ceasefire announced by the Saudi-led coalition, which has since launched dozens of airstrikes at rebel forces ignoring the off to lay down arms. The council cited the need to end ongoing hostilities in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

On Wednesday, Yemen’s Supreme National Emergency Committee for Coronavirus announced five confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country’s interim capital of Aden.

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Edited by Ahlam Mohsen and Casey Coombs