Yemen Appoints Finance Minister Salem Bin Braik as New Prime Minister

In a significant political development, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) appointed Salem Saleh Bin Braik, the country’s long-serving Finance Minister, as the new Prime Minister on May 5, 2025. This decision follows the sudden resignation of Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, who cited constitutional limitations and a lack of authority to implement key reforms as reasons for stepping down.

Why in News?

The appointment of Salem Bin Braik as the new Prime Minister marks a crucial leadership change in a country ravaged by civil war and economic collapse. Outgoing Prime Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak highlighted his inability to exercise constitutional powers and carry out cabinet reshuffles, which hampered much-needed reforms.

About the Appointment

• Salem Saleh Bin Braik has been Yemen’s Finance Minister since 2019.
• Before that, he served as Vice Finance Minister and held multiple administrative roles.
• He was appointed Prime Minister by the Presidential Leadership Council just hours after bin Mubarak’s resignation.
• Bin Mubarak has been made advisor to the PLC President.

Reasons for Bin Mubarak’s Resignation

• Cited constitutional constraints as major barriers to effective governance.
• Claimed he was denied authority to reform key state institutions.
• Expressed frustration over not being able to reshuffle the cabinet.
• Took office as Prime Minister in February 2024.
• Former roles: Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the U.S.

Ongoing Challenges in Yemen

• Civil war since 2014, when Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized Sanaa.
• Internationally recognized government operates from Aden.
• Economic collapse worsened by halt in oil exports after Houthi attacks in 2022.
• The Houthi group demands a revenue-sharing deal before resuming oil exports.
• The Yemeni rial is in freefall, exacerbating public suffering.
• UN ranks Yemen’s crisis among the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Yemen Appoints Finance Minister Salem Bin Braik as New Prime Minister
Previous PM	Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak
Reason for Resignation	Inability to exercise constitutional powers and implement reforms
Background of New PM	Finance Minister since 2019, administrative and financial experience
Civil War Start Year	2014 (Houthi rebels took over Sanaa)
Economic Issue	Collapse of Yemeni rial, halt in oil exports since October 2022
Houthi Demands	Revenue-sharing agreement before restarting oil exports
Government Seat	Aden (since Sanaa under Houthi control)