Riyadh (South24 Center) 

The Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council issued a decree on Friday (February 6) announcing the formation of a new government headed by Shaya Mohsen al-Zindani, including 35 ministers, according to the official news agency (SABA).

The move comes after the resignation of the previous government last month, amid political and military developments in areas under the control of the internationally recognized government.

According to the new formation, the four vital portfolios were assigned as follows:

• Shaya al-Zindani: Also holds the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• Maj. Gen. Taher al-Aqili: Ministry of Defense.

• Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Haydan: Ministry of Interior.

• Marwan Faraj bin Ghanem: Ministry of Finance.

The government formation follows the resignation of former Prime Minister, Salem bin Brik, on January 15, and the appointment of al-Zindani to form a new government the following day, which came less than a year after bin Brik's appointment in May 2025. 

The previous government had faced severe economic challenges, including declining revenues and deteriorating services, despite a relative improvement in the currency exchange rate and attempts at financial and administrative reform.

The previous government had merged several ministries to reduce the number of ministers. However, these have been decoupled in the new government. 

For instance, the Ministry of Culture, Information, and Tourism has been dismantled into the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Similarly, the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Human Rights has been split into two separate ministries. The lineup also includes the title of "Minister of State" for several figures.

Significantly, the list includes three women assigned to the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Women, and the Ministry of Human Rights. The previous government was entirely devoid of women.

Despite the announcement of the dissolution of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) from Riyadh on January 9, and the dismissal of several ministers affiliated with or close to the Council, such as the ministers of Transport, Planning and International Cooperation, and Telecommunications, the new government formation includes STC members, such as the Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister of Civil Service.

The new government formation coincides with political and military shifts in South Yemen, including the South-South dialogue process arranged by Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the year, amid widespread protests in support of the STC in Aden and other major cities in South Yemen.

On February 5, the Radfan region in Lahj governorate witnessed a mass gathering in support of the STC. In a telling move, the final statement of the event warned against the return of the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, or any Northern ministers to Aden or any city within the South.

Read more at: Mass Rally in Radfan Affirms Support for the STC, Rejects Dissolution Declaration

The announcement of the new formation also comes at a time when the government is beset with economic challenges, primarily a decline in sovereign revenues, the halt of oil and gas exports, continuing delays in salary payments, and public pressure related to basic services such as electricity.