Yemen To Form New Government With Al-Zindani Named As Prime Minister

Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi issued a decree on Friday to form a new government, appointing Shayea Mohsen Al-Zindani as prime minister, who will also serve as minister of foreign affairs and expatriate affairs.

Republican Decree No. 3 of 2026, issued on Friday evening, sets out the new cabinet lineup, according to Yemen’s official news agency.

The decision comes days after Al-Zindani was tasked with forming the government and follows his proposal and approval by the Presidential Leadership Council, in line with the constitution and transitional framework, including the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative and its implementation mechanism.

The new government comprises 35 ministers across sovereign and service portfolios, including defense, interior, foreign affairs, finance and oil, as well as education, health, electricity, water and transport, alongside several ministers of state.

The reshuffle also marks the return of women to Yemen’s cabinet for the first time since 2015. 

Afrah Al-Zuba was appointed minister of planning and international cooperation, Judge Ishraq Al-Maqtari as minister of legal affairs, and Ahed Jaasous as minister of state for women’s affairs, ending nearly a decade of women’s absence from executive roles.