New Yemeni Govt. to Hold Its First Ministerial Meeting Soon in Aden

A knowledgeable source in the Yemeni government revealed that the first ministerial meeting of the new government will be held within the next two days in the city of Aden, after 20 ministers began their work from there. The source clarified that the remaining ministers are on their way to join the temporary capital. The new government, headed by Sha'if Al-Zandani, includes 35 ministers after the Prime Minister retained the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs, an increase of 10 ministers from the previous government announced in 2020 under the leadership of Maeen Abdulmalik, which had only 25 members.

Geographical and Historical Equalization

The new formation comes with an equal representation between the northern and southern provinces, with a preference for the Prime Minister's position for the south, while 15 ministers left their positions and 8 ministers retained their previous roles without change.

For the first time in the history of Yemeni governments, the government included three female ministers:

• Ishraq Al-Maqtari took over the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

• Afrah Al-Zouba, a prominent activist, headed the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation for the first time.

• Ahad Jassous was appointed as Minister of State for Women's Affairs.

This step comes as part of the government's efforts to activate its presence domestically and enhance ministerial work in the temporary capital Aden after years of challenges on both administrative and political fronts.