New Faces and Extensive Reshuffles in Al-Zindani Government: Notable Female Presence and 15 Ministers Ousted
Yemen Monitor / Riyadh / Exclusive:
The Head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council issued Presidential Decree No. (3) of 2026 today, Friday, forming the new Yemeni government under the chairmanship of Dr. Shaya Mohsen Al-Zandani. The move brings extensive changes to several sovereign and service portfolios, introducing new faces to the forefront of government work while several ministers departed their posts.
The new lineup features a mix of continuity and change; some ministers retained their positions or were rotated, while new figures were appointed for the first time. This restructuring aims to realign the executive branch with the requirements of the current political and economic phase.
New Appointments in Sovereign and Service Portfolios
Key appointments in the new cabinet include:
- Major General Tahir Ali Ayda al-Oqili: Minister of Defense
- Judge Badr Abdo Ahmed al-Ardah: Minister of Justice
- Eng. Badr Mohammed Mubarak Basalma: Minister of Local Administration
- Mutee Ahmed Qasim Dammaj: Minister of Culture and Tourism
- Eng. Adnan Mohammed Omar al-Kaf: Minister of Electricity and Energy
- Marwan Faraj Saeed bin Ghanem: Minister of Finance
- Dr. Afrah Abdulaziz al-Zouba: Minister of Planning and International Cooperation
- Salem Abu Bakr Mohammed Thabit al-Awlaqi: Minister of Civil Service and Insurance
- Judge Ishraq Fadhl al-Maqtari: Minister of Legal Affairs
In Education and Technology:
- Dr. Adel Abdul-Majid Alawi al-Abadi: Minister of Education
- Dr. Amin Noaman Mohammed al-Qudsi: Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Dr. Shadi Saleh Basurah: Minister of Communications and Information Technology
- Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Ali Bamqa: Minister of Oil and Minerals
Other Portfolios:
- Mohsen Ali Haidara Al-Amri: Minister of Transport
- Eng. Hussein Awad Saeed al-Aqrabi: Minister of Public Works and Roads
- Mukhtar Omar Saleh al-Yafei: Minister of Social Affairs and Labor
- Mashdal Mohammed Omar Ahmed: Minister of Human Rights
- Sheikh Turki Abdullah Ali al-Wade’i: Minister of Endowments and Guidance
Significant Female Presence
The new government recorded a prominent female presence with the appointment of three women to ministerial positions. This step is viewed as a practical implementation of the National Dialogue Conference outcomes regarding the expansion of women’s participation in state institutions.
- Dr. Afrah Abdulaziz al-Zouba: Minister of Planning and International Cooperation
- Judge Ishraq Fadhl al-Maqtari: Minister of Legal Affairs and Human Rights
- Dr. Ahd Mohammed Salem Jassous: Minister of State for Women’s Affairs
15 Ministers Exit the Cabinet
The reshuffle resulted in 15 ministers leaving their posts as part of the restructuring. Notable departures include:
- Mohsen al-Daeri (Defense)
- Salem bin Buraik (Finance)
- Waed Badhib (Planning)
- Mana’a bin Yamin (Electricity)
- Ahmed Lamlas (Minister of State and Governor of Aden)
This wide-ranging overhaul reflects the new government’s direction toward resetting executive priorities and injecting “new blood” into the state apparatus as the country navigates complex political, economic, and security challenges.
