Latest news with #SalemSalehBinBraik
Asharq Al-Awsat
05-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
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.
Asharq Al-Awsat
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Yemen PM, EU Discuss Future Partnership
The European Union has informed the Yemeni government that it will issue a statement about the situation in Yemen that will tackle the Houthi attacks on Red Sea navigation and the harm they have incurred in the country, region and world, informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. The EU last made such a statement in appreciation of the government three years ago. This time, it will be more explicit in condemning the Houthis, the sources added on condition of anonymity. Yemeni Prime Minister Salem Saleh bin Braik held talks on Wednesday with Managing Director for Middle East and North Africa in the EU's European External Action Service Helene Le Gal and EU Ambassador to Yemen Gabriel Vinals. The sources continued: 'The EU believes that the damage caused by the Houthis was no longer just a Yemeni problem, especially after their attacks on Red Sea shipping.' This will determine EU policy and how to handle Yemen, they said. Wednesday's meeting covered the current and future partnership between Yemen and the EU and the diplomatic, humanitarian and economic support it is providing to the war-torn country. It tackled support to the Yemeni coastguard in their efforts to combat smuggling and protect international navigation, as well as joint coordination in confronting regional and international challenges, reported the Yemen's Saba news agency. The meeting reviewed the government's service and economic priorities and its comprehensive reform efforts. The gatherers discussed Yemen's humanitarian needs and efforts to ease the suffering of the people that has been compounded by Houthi attacks on oil facilities and Red Sea shipping. They covered current and future cooperation and the EU's support for Yemen and its preparations to hold a humanitarian conference in Brussels later this month.
