[19/02/2026 05:35]

ADEN - SABA
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Shaya Zindani chaired on Thursday the first Cabinet meeting following the government’s receipt of confidence from the political leadership and its constitutional oath-taking.

At the outset of the meeting, the Prime Minister delivered a speech affirming that holding this meeting in Aden coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, with its values of responsibility, reflection, and strengthening the spirit of public service and solidarity.

“Based on this national responsibility, as the government convenes its first meeting, it places into consideration the directives of His Excellency the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, which emphasized that this government is required to create a different model in performance and results, bring about the desired transformation, and restore citizens’ trust in state institutions. We must treat these directives as guiding principles to be translated into clear executive plans with defined timelines and precise performance indicators,"said Prime Minister Zindani.

He explained that the relationship between the government and the Presidential Leadership Council, along with the other state bodies and authorities, is one of constitutional integration and shared responsibility, ensuring unity of political decision-making and harmony in executive performance as a fundamental pillar for institutional stability and strengthening public trust. He noted that building state authority with renewed substance occupies special importance in the government’s orientation and work, through restoring national institutions, enhancing their capacity to perform sovereign duties, and defeating the coup project of the Iran-backed Houthi militias, which he described as an existential threat to Yemen, the region, and the world, and a danger to Yemen’s security, unity, stability, and territorial integrity.

The Prime Minister praised the pivotal role of the Saudi-led Coalition and the regional and international community in supporting constitutional legitimacy, backing efforts to restore full state authority, and advancing a comprehensive peace process based on agreed political references and relevant international resolutions, in a way that enhances prospects for a just and sustainable settlement that ends the coup and restores security and stability. He reaffirmed that the government extends its hand for peace, stemming from a sincere commitment to a political solution to end the coup and restore state institutions, while stressing that the state retains all legitimate options to restore its institutions should the Houthi militias persist in intransigence and refusal to engage in fair solutions.

Dr. al-Zindani also addressed the formation of the government, which came after the state successfully imposed its sovereignty over all liberated areas following recent events in Hadramout and al-Mahra, avoiding internal conflict resulting from miscalculations by some parties participating in power.

He noted that this would not have been achieved without the unity of the Presidential Leadership Council under the leadership of Dr. Rashad al-Alimi and with direct support from the Saudi-led Coalition.

“What has been achieved is not a passing security event nor a victory for one party over another, but a victory for the Yemeni state, its institutions, its sovereignty, and its ability to achieve security and protect civil and social peace in accordance with the law,” he said.

He expressed confidence that Southern-Southern dialogue, under the generous sponsorship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, would open a window to resolve the Southern issue based on the will of the people of the South and guarantee their right to determine their future freely and responsibly under normal and secure conditions.

He stressed that the Southern issue concerns everyone and should not be subject to bidding or minimization, emphasizing the need to learn from the past, avoid imposing individual or factional wills, uphold reconciliation and tolerance in word and practice, accept differences, reject accusations and incitement, and unite against the real existential threat represented by the Iran-backed Houthi militias.

The Prime Minister affirmed that the government will give great attention to enhancing security and stability as a cornerstone for development, social peace, and service provision, which can only be achieved through collective official and societal efforts and public support for this inclusive national path.

He emphasized respect for all rights and the rule of law in state practice, based on equality among citizens without exclusion or targeting, with all enjoying their political and social freedoms in accordance with the constitution and law.

He added that under no circumstances should chaos be encouraged or called for, given its consequences in disturbing public order, undermining security and stability, and disrupting state and citizen interests.

Dr. Zindani announced the preparation of an executive government program until the end of this year, including defined priorities, clear performance indicators, and specific responsibilities and resources.

The program will primarily focus on improving services, strengthening economic stability, regulating public resources, and consolidating financial and administrative discipline.

He noted that the government will prioritize curbing inflation and containing the erosion of purchasing power as a direct measure of its capabilities, ensure the regular payment of public sector salaries as a legal obligation, support the independence of the Central Bank in managing monetary policy, protect the national currency, and guarantee market stability.

He confirmed that a realistic 2026 budget will be approved and announced soon for the first time in years.

He stressed that improvement in the national currency’s exchange rate must directly reflect on the prices of goods and services, and that relevant ministries must strengthen market oversight, prevent monopolies and manipulation, and ensure price reductions in line with exchange rate improvements to protect consumers and enhance trust in economic policies.

The Prime Minister affirmed that the government will unify military and security decision-making under the directives of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and under the Ministries of Defense and Interior, along with the Supreme Military Committee under the leadership of the Coalition, remove all camps from Aden and other cities, and assign security tasks to the competent authorities.

He emphasized improving revenues and depositing them in the Central Bank, halting illegal levies, taking serious steps to combat corruption by activating oversight and accountability bodies, enforcing the law, ensuring transparency in tenders and contracts through the formation of a High Tenders Committee, applying the principle of reward and accountability, and subjecting all officials and government entities to oversight regarding their duties.

He highlighted the importance of strengthening relations with local authorities and supporting all governorates to fulfill their responsibilities in sectors affecting citizens’ lives and livelihoods, urging local administrations to improve and develop services and implement projects that promote local development.

The Prime Minister reviewed recent weeks’ noticeable improvement in some essential services, particularly electricity and water, along with relative improvement in the national currency’s position, explaining that this was the result of disciplined measures and generous support from Saudi Arabia.

The government will continue working with partners to turn these into sustainable solutions so citizens feel a real difference in daily life.

He stressed the importance of empowering youth to participate in administration and decision-making to renew state institutions, opening clear pathways for their integration into public service based on merit, alongside fair and organized retirement systems to balance experience with new energy. He described youth empowerment as a strategic investment in the state’s future.

He also emphasized that empowering women and enhancing their presence in positions of responsibility is a developmental and national necessity, not political luxury, noting that women’s representation in the government reflects confidence in their competence and role in building institutions and stability, with policies to protect their rights and expand their participation in public life.

The Prime Minister pledged that the government’s presence will be on the ground, living among citizens and working to improve living conditions and stabilize services, with no government member residing abroad and strict regulations on official foreign participation.


The Cabinet discussed top priorities within the short-term program and the need for realistic, implementable plans.

It reaffirmed full commitment to citizens in liberated governorates, prioritizing essential services and regular salary payments, viewing electricity, water, health, education, and salary disbursement as fundamental rights, and directing ministries to intensify efforts and oversight.

The Cabinet stressed that security and stability form the solid foundation for development and economic reform, supporting security and military institutions in enforcing order and the rule of law, and confronting sabotage or attempts to undermine public tranquility, while respecting lawful freedom of expression and rejecting any acts of chaos.

It emphasized the need for the highest levels of coordination among ministries, institutions, and local authorities, working as one team with unified decision-making and measurable performance indicators.

Regarding the temporary capital Aden, the Cabinet stressed transforming it into a real model of a capable state that delivers services, enforces order, and achieves economic recovery, reflecting a positive image of legitimate institutions and their capacity to manage this phase efficiently and responsibly.

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