Yemen's New PM Takes Office in Aden Amid Deep Economic Crisis
Yemen's newly appointed Prime Minister, Salem Saleh bin Braik, officially assumed office in the interim capital Aden after returning from Riyadh alongside Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi, amid worsening economic conditions and deteriorating public services in the war-ravaged country.
Bin Braik takes the helm as Yemen grapples with one of its most severe economic downturns in recent years. The local currency has plunged to a record low, with the US dollar trading at over 2,500 Yemeni rials, fueling inflation and deepening humanitarian needs.
Citizens in government-held areas are hoping the new prime minister can halt the currency's freefall and improve crumbling services, particularly electricity, after years of war have drained public resources and infrastructure.
In his first cabinet meeting, attended by Al-Alimi, bin Braik outlined his vision and roadmap for the coming period, describing directives from the presidential council as an urgent framework aimed at 'containing economic and service deterioration, alleviating humanitarian suffering, and strengthening the state's legal authority.'
He listed key priorities including financial and monetary policy reform, activating oversight and accountability mechanisms, and combating corruption.
Bin Braik has called for sweeping institutional reforms and national cooperation as he assumes office, vowing to restore oversight bodies and stabilize the economy amid a worsening crisis in government-held areas.
Speaking during his first cabinet meeting in Aden, bin Braik said the reactivation of key institutions such as the Supreme Anti-Corruption Commission, the High Tender Committee, and the Tender Oversight Authority was 'imperative and necessary' to strengthen transparency and support other watchdog bodies.
He also stressed the need for Yemen's parliament and consultative council to resume sessions from Aden.
Bin Braik pledged to empower the central bank to fully perform its functions and regain control over public revenues, insisting that all liberated provinces must deposit their income into the bank. 'Success in these efforts,' he said, 'requires broad national integration and cooperation between the government, local authorities, and political components.'
The prime minister urged Yemen's political parties, media professionals, and activists to adopt a unified national discourse and engage in constructive criticism, stressing that 'this phase does not allow for political rivalries or narrow calculations.'
In a message directed to the public, particularly women and youth, bin Braik reaffirmed his government's commitment to supporting their causes, empowering them, and addressing their aspirations within a clear institutional framework.
'We don't want to put the country onto a civil-war track, but believe me, this is not going to affect our commitment to the need to extend and consolidate the authority of the state,' Salam said.
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