Bahrain welcomes Yemen’s new power-sharing cabinet

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Formation of the new cabinet in Yemen as per Riyadh Agreement will “strengthen and unify” Yemeni efforts to confront Houthi militia, said Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry statement.

This is “an important step to strengthen and unify Yemeni efforts to confront Iran- supported Houthi militias and achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Yemeni people for security, peace and stability,” the statement said welcoming the cabinet.

The new cabinet will have members of the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and STC, which has been at war against Houthis that controls Sanaa since 2014.

Foreign Ministry statement also commended the remarkable contribution of Saudi Arabia in ending the long-standing power struggle.

Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik was reappointed to lead the new cabinet, which will have 25-members representing all sections of the Yemeni society except Houthis. “There will be five ministers from Yemen’s biggest political blocs, including the STC and Islah party,” a statement from Hadi’s office said.

Hadi has kept his closest allies in the key ministries of defence, interior, foreign affairs and finances. Veteran diplomat Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak will serve as Yemen’s new foreign minister, and Lt. Gen. Mohammed Ali Al-Maqdashi will be Yemen’s new defence minister.

Al-Maqdashi was previously the chief of staff of Yemen’s armed forces. Formation of the new government followed two weeks of separation of forces and redeployment of troops in the south. The clashes within the anti-Houthi camp were one factor holding up United Nations efforts to negotiate a nationwide ceasefire to pave the way for a resumption of political negotiations, last held in December 2018, to end the wider war.

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, welcoming the deal called it “an important step for enhanced stability, improvement of state institutions and increased political partnership.” “It is also a pivotal step towards a lasting political resolution to the conflict in Yemen,” he added. The Special Envoy, however, said more work is needed to include Yemeni women in the Cabinet and decision-making posts.

Saudi foreign minister said the deal is an “important step toward achieving a political solution and ending the Yemeni crisis.” “We affirm the generous directives from King Salman, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Muhammad Bin Salman to continue all efforts to help Yemen achieve security, stability and prosperity,” the minister said.