Restructuring the Southern Transitional Council: Dissolving existing bodies and launching a new phase
In a pivotal move reflecting a radical shift in the trajectory of the most prominent political organization in southern Yemen, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) issued a series of decisive resolutions aimed at completely restructuring its organizational and institutional framework. These resolutions included dissolving all executive bodies, agencies, and offices affiliated with the council, both domestically and abroad, signaling the beginning of a new political and administrative phase that closes the chapter on its initial founding and moves toward organized, institutionalized operations.
These moves come at the direct instruction of the council's president, Aidarus al-Zubaidi, as part of a comprehensive modernization process aimed at addressing administrative inefficiencies and eliminating duplication of tasks that plagued the previous phase. The new structure includes merging some departments, establishing a new General Secretariat with a structure that aligns with political changes, and reviewing the operational mechanisms of the council's foreign missions to ensure greater effectiveness in international diplomatic outreach.
Context of establishment and political transformation
To understand the implications of this move, it is necessary to return to the historical context of the Southern Transitional Council's formation, which was established in May 2017, following the "Aden Declaration." Since then, the council has undergone several phases, from being a popular movement demanding secession and the restoration of the South Yemeni state, to its transformation into a major political player and partner in the legitimate government under the 2019 Riyadh Agreement, and its current membership in the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council.
This rapid development has compelled the council's leadership to shift from the revolutionary mindset that characterized its founding phase to a state-centric, institutional approach, particularly given the council's expanding influence and control over the interim capital, Aden, and other southern governorates. The current structure is a natural response to these demands, as power-sharing and managing complex service and security issues necessitate a flexible and efficient administrative apparatus.
Strategic importance and expected impact
These decisions carry profound implications at both the local and regional levels. Locally, by "dusting off" its old structures, the council seeks to strengthen its internal front and bolster its organizational cohesion in preparation for the demands of negotiations for a final solution to the Yemeni crisis. A cohesive organizational structure grants the council greater political maneuvering and decision-making power.
Regionally and internationally, this step sends a reassuring message to allies and international partners that the Southern Transitional Council is serious about developing its mechanisms and operating according to disciplined institutional standards, moving away from haphazardness. Furthermore, organizing the overseas offices will enhance the presence of the southern cause in international forums in a more professional manner. In short, this event marks the end of the "founding" phase and the beginning of the "institutionalization" phase, which requires entirely different tools, personnel, and working mechanisms than what came before.
