Corruption charges haunt Aidarus al-Zubaidi: Oil and real estate files under scrutiny

News and reports of corruption charges against Aidarus al-Zubaidi, a member of the Presidential Leadership Council and head of the Southern Transitional Council, have recently dominated the political and local scene in Yemen. These charges relate to sensitive matters including real estate, oil, and the management of commercial companies. This news comes at a time when the southern governorates, particularly the interim capital Aden, are facing severe economic and service-related challenges, giving these accusations widespread resonance among the Yemeni public and political circles.

General context and political background

Aidarus al-Zubaidi is one of the most prominent figures in the current Yemeni political landscape, leading the Southern Transitional Council, which effectively controls Aden and several southern governorates. Since the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council in April 2022, al-Zubaidi has been part of the internationally recognized government's highest echelons. However, this partnership has not been without its tensions, particularly regarding resource management and the unification of financial and military institutions. The management of revenues in the liberated areas, especially oil, customs, and tax revenues, has long been a major point of contention among the various parties, amid mutual accusations of a lack of transparency.

Dimensions of real estate and oil files

Reports indicate significant irregularities in the land and real estate sector in Aden. The city has witnessed an unplanned construction boom in recent years, accompanied by widespread disputes over ownership of state-owned land. High-ranking officials are implicated in these cases due to their influence over local and security authorities. As for the oil sector, the lifeblood of the Yemeni economy, persistent questions surround import contracts for petroleum products used to operate power plants, as well as the mechanisms for exporting crude oil (before its cessation) and how the revenues are spent – ​​files often described as a “black box.”.

Expected impact locally and regionally

Raising such issues at this time carries significant political implications. Domestically, these accusations exacerbate public discontent stemming from deteriorating services and the collapse of the local currency, with citizens perceiving corruption as the primary cause of their suffering. Politically, these matters could undermine the cohesion of the Presidential Leadership Council and weaken the Transitional Council's position with its local partners and regional backers. Internationally, donors and the international community consistently emphasize the necessity of combating corruption as a prerequisite for providing economic support to Yemen; therefore, any corruption allegations against top-tier leaders could jeopardize peace efforts and economic recovery.

In conclusion, these accusations still require transparent and independent investigations to reveal the facts, in light of a complex Yemeni reality in which political and economic interests are intertwined, and in which the ordinary citizen pays the price for the ongoing conflicts over influence and wealth.