Yemeni ministries reject the Transitional Council's statements and insist on the transfer of power
Official sources in several Yemeni ministries expressed their categorical rejection of the recent statements issued by the Southern Transitional Council, asserting that these statements contradict the fundamental principles upon which the national consensus during the current phase is based. These government entities emphasized their complete and absolute commitment to the provisions of the Declaration on the Transfer of Power, under which the Presidential Leadership Council was formed in April 2022, considering it the constitutional and legal framework governing the transitional period in Yemen.
This government stance stems from a commitment to national unity and the cohesion of state institutions. Sources explained that any media or political escalation outside the framework of consensus threatens to undermine efforts to restore the state and end the Houthi coup. They emphasized that unified institutional action under the umbrella of the Presidential Leadership Council and the legitimate government is the only way to overcome the economic and security challenges plaguing the country, not unilateral statements that could exacerbate existing disputes.
Background to the announcement of the transfer of power and the political agreements
To understand the depth of this dispute, it is necessary to return to the historical and political context in which the Presidential Leadership Council was formed. On April 7, 2022, former President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi issued a presidential declaration transferring all his powers to a Presidential Leadership Council headed by Dr. Rashad al-Alimi and comprising seven other members representing various active forces on the ground, including representatives of the Southern Transitional Council. The main objective of this declaration, which culminated the Riyadh consultations sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council, was to unify the internal front to confront military and economic challenges.
This consensus is also based on the outcomes of the Riyadh Agreement signed in November 2019, which stipulated political partnership and the integration of military and security formations under the umbrella of the Ministries of Defense and Interior. Therefore, any statements issued by any partner in the Presidential Council that contradict the spirit of these agreements constitute a violation of the principle of partnership and a threat to the cohesion of the Council, which enjoys broad international recognition and support.
Expected impacts locally and regionally
This political polarization carries serious implications and direct repercussions for the Yemeni and regional landscape. Domestically, the continued divergence in rhetoric among the various factions within the legitimate government is eroding public trust in the government's ability to provide basic services and maintain security, particularly in the interim capital, Aden, and the liberated governorates, which are suffering from currency devaluation and service shortages. This division also directly benefits the Houthi group, which exploits any cracks in the opposing front to strengthen its military and negotiating position.
At the regional and international levels, the international community, led by the United Nations and the American and European envoys, as well as the Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia, views the Presidential Leadership Council as the primary and sole partner in peace efforts. Any attempt to weaken this council or question the legitimacy of the power transfer process could complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire or a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis. Therefore, the Yemeni ministries' reaffirmation of their commitment to the declaration of power transfer serves as a reassuring message, both domestically and internationally, that state institutions remain committed to the legal and legitimate path.
