Criticism of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) has intensified in recent years, fueled by public demands for basic services and shifting international dynamics linked to the country’s ongoing crisis.

 

Reform Party: Disappointing Performance

 

Abdul Razzaq Al-Hijri, a senior member of the Yemeni Congregation for Reform (Islah Party) and head of its parliamentary bloc, described the PLC’s performance as “deeply disappointing” during remarks at the third Yemen International Forum, organized by the Sana’a Center for Studies in Jordan.

 

Al-Hijri outlined Islah’s vision to revitalize the PLC, emphasizing the need to empower local authorities, streamline state revenues, and halt the misuse of public funds. However, he criticized the “clash of political agendas” within the PLC, noting that some factions view the current moment as an opportunity to advance their own political projects—a veiled reference to the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a key partner in the leadership body.

 

He highlighted existential threats, including the Houthi group, the failure to prepare Aden to function effectively as Yemen’s interim capital, and incomplete implementation of the Riyadh Agreement—particularly its military provisions. Al-Hijri accused the PLC of operating in a “semi-nomadic” manner, failing to unify military forces under its command, and obstructing parliamentary sessions inside or outside Aden.

 

“Many of the PLC’s mandated tasks remain unfulfilled,” he said, attributing this to internal divisions. “Instead of pursuing projects to rebuild Yemen, parties have prioritized quota-based power-sharing, with each faction seeking to fill voids with their own loyalists.”

 

Transitional Council: Leadership Council Has “Completely Failed”

 

Nasser Al-Khubaji, head of the STC’s Political Bureau, launched a scathing attack on the PLC during the same forum, accusing it of “total ineptitude, paralysis, and failure” to achieve any meaningful progress since assuming power.

 

Al-Khubaji, who advocates for southern Yemen’s secession, claimed the PLC had failed to draft governance frameworks regulating its relationship with the government and local authorities. He cited a “toxic rivalry” between the PLC’s chairman and the prime minister, which he said had “paralyzed all operations,” and accused both leadership and government figures of “fleeing Yemen” and refusing to return to Aden. “Their cumulative time spent in Aden does not exceed one to two months,” he asserted.

 

Al-Khubaji argued that the PLC is incapable of fulfilling its duties, stating that the responsibilities assigned to it under the transfer of power decree were not executed. He also criticized the lack of a clear vision for dealing with the Houthis—whether politically, militarily, or economically.

 

He called for a clear vision for the PLC, emphasizing that its formation was not driven by local will but by external regional interests.

 

Foreign Ministry: Corruption Plagues the Government

 

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister and Minister of Expatriate Affairs Shaia Al-Zindani said that one of the major issues facing the current government and the PLC is corruption, which he described as having evolved into a culture, not just a phenomenon, becoming a significant barrier to the functioning of the state and government.

 

In an interview with The National, Al-Zindani stated that the Yemeni government lacks a peace vision for Yemen due to Iran’s backing of the Houthis. While there has been a ceasefire and a significant reduction in military activities, he warned that "we do not see an end to the war anytime soon, nor is there a vision that allows us to say that peace is on the horizon."

 

He noted that civilians in Yemen continue to suffer from the consequences of the war with each passing day. Al-Zindani expressed hope that by building better relations with neighboring countries, Yemen could serve its national interests more effectively. He added, "Our work is progressing well, and our relations are improving day by day. The government is currently focused on providing a realistic and acceptable level of services to the people, such as healthcare and education, but priorities are constantly shifting in light of the war’s conditions."

 


المصدر: الموقع بوست

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Riyadh Brings Together Yemen’s Legitimacy Factions: Impending Battle or Messages of Peace and Position Sorting?

In a notable development following a series of mixed political and military signals, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, hosted a meeting that brought together the presidency of Yemen’s Consultation and Reconciliation Commission, and the leaders of political factions and parties affiliated with it, along with the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber.

 

 

“As part of the Kingdom’s continued support for comprehensive peace efforts, national reconciliation, and the stabilization of Yemen, I met today with the leadership of the Yemeni Consultation and Reconciliation Commission, as well as the heads of political factions and parties in the commission. I stressed the importance of supporting all efforts toward security, peace, stability, and development in Yemen.”

 

Yemeni political figure and Commission member Abdelmalik Al-Mekhlafi echoed this sentiment, tweeting:

 

“Today’s meeting in Riyadh between the leadership of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission and political party leaders with Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber once again demonstrates the Kingdom’s and its leadership’s commitment to achieving reconciliation in Yemen, along with peace, stability, and development. It also reflects the strategic brotherly partnership between the Kingdom and Yemen toward achieving these noble goals.”

 

 

These statements come at a charged regional moment, with reports circulating of possible preparations for a ground operation in Yemen, while indirect talks continue between Tehran and Washington. Notably, the recent visit by Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman to Tehran, during which he met with Iran’s Supreme Leader, was anything but routine.

 

Within this broader regional and international context, Saudi Arabia has made two significant diplomatic moves related to the Yemen file. The first occurred in Washington, D.C., this past February, where Prince Khalid met with his American counterpart and other senior U.S. officials. That meeting reportedly focused on security coordination and regional issues, including Yemen and the Houthis. The second, more recent meeting took place in Tehran in April.

 

It is worth noting that Ambassador Al Jaber was present at both meetings—an indication that the Yemen issue featured prominently in discussions, both in Washington and Tehran.

 

These developments raise important questions: Is the Kingdom working to unify the political positions of Yemeni factions ahead of a potential escalation? Or is it seeking to reaffirm its role as a peace sponsor before the Houthis and the international community, especially amid speculation about a ground operation—one which Riyadh has officially denied any involvement in?

 

A critical point to observe here is the duality of messaging emerging from Riyadh. While official diplomatic rhetoric, as reflected in the ambassador’s meetings and statements, emphasizes de-escalation and support for peace efforts, Saudi media continues to broadcast messages about imminent military resolution and preparations for a decisive battle.

 

This contrast may be the result of a deliberate distribution of roles or it might signal hesitation regarding the final course of action. Regardless, it keeps the overall situation shrouded in ambiguity—an ambiguity that warrants careful analysis.

 

Given these dynamics, the question remains: Are we witnessing the dawn of a new Saudi-backed peace phase in Yemen? Or is this a last attempt to clarify positions before the eruption of a new round of conflict?


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