Yemen’s new government pledges oath of allegiance in Riyadh

Yemen’s new cabinet pledged its oath of allegiance during a swearing-in ceremony on Monday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in hopes that the country can move on from recent instability in the south.

The ceremony was carried out before the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman, Rashad Al-Alimi, formalising a new cabinet led by Prime Minister Shaya Al-Zandani, who all took the constitutional oath.

The development comes after the presidential council announced last week the formation of a new government headed by al-Zaidani, following weeks of consultations in Riyadh.

The new cabinet includes 34 ministers and three women: Afrah Abdulaziz Al-Zouba, who was appointed as minister of planning and international cooperation, Judge Ishraq Fadl Al-Maqtari, as minister of legal affairs, and Ahd Mohammed Salem Jaasous, who will serve as minister of state for women’s affairs.

These appointments in particular mark a significant turning point in Yemeni politics, following criticism over the exclusion of women in senior positions.

There are also some familiar faces in the cabinet, with Interior Minister Ibrahim Haidan, Water and Environment Minister Tawfiq Al-Sharjabi, and Information Minister Moammar Al-Eryani, among several others who have served in the previous government.

Al-Zaidani assumed his position on 16 January after the presidential council accepted the resignation of former Prime Minister Salem Saleh bin Breik.

The prime minister issued a statement saying the government’s focus will be on improving living conditions and services for citizens. He added that efforts will be made to combat corruption and improve institutional performance, which will work towards ending Houthi control of large parts of the country.

It comes after the dissolution of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and withdrawal of United Arab Emirates forces from southern Yemen.

A number of southern politicians travelled to Riyadh in early January, where they announced the closure of the separatist STC entity, with some colleagues outside the kingdom accusing Saudi Arabia of holding them captive, while others insist they defected voluntarily.

The internationally recognised government has received some praise for its diverse cabinet, and is believed to be the largest cabinet in Yemen’s modern history.

However, some analysts have noted that the government has no representation from Hajjah, Al-Mahweet, and Al-Jaouf governorates.