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.