Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) has named Finance Minister Salem Saleh Bin Braik as the country’s new prime minister, following the resignation of Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak on Saturday.

Bin Mubarak, who served as prime minister since February 2024, stepped down earlier in the day, citing constitutional limitations and obstructive challenges that he said prevented effective governance and stalled government reform. His tenure lasted just over a year.

The PLC accepted Bin Mubarak’s resignation and appointed Bin Braik, a seasoned technocrat who has held the finance portfolio since 2019, to lead the government. Bin Braik, previously a Deputy Minister of Finance and holder of various senior administrative roles, is known for his pragmatic approach in Yemen’s complex political environment.

The PLC confirmed that all current government ministers will retain their positions, while Bin Mubarak will transition to an advisory role for the PLC president.

In his resignation statement, Bin Mubarak highlighted the “numerous difficulties” that impeded his efforts to implement economic and institutional reforms. “Despite our best intentions, the limitations placed upon the office made effective governance unfeasible,” he said. Bin Mubarak, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to the United States, had been a prominent figure in Yemeni diplomacy before his premiership.

Bin Braik’s appointment comes at a critical juncture, with Yemen facing mounting pressure to stabilize its economy, combat corruption, and address one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The PLC’s decision signals a push for continuity amid ongoing challenges in the war-torn nation. (ILKHA)