President al-Mashat meets with Prime Minister of the Government of Change and Construction, Ahmed Al-Rahawi, Sanaa, Yemen, August 12, 2024 (@TvAlmasirah)

The head of Yemen's Supreme Political Council Mahdi al-Mashat announced on Monday the formation of a new government aimed at "driving reform and reconstruction in the country."

The newly appointed cabinet will be led by Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and will include 21 ministers under the slogan "reform and rebuild"

According to a statement, al-Mashat appointed scholar Muhammad Muftah as deputy prime minister, Muhammad al-Madani as deputy prime minister for administration, local, and rural development affairs, and Judge Mujahid Ali as minister of justice and human rights.

The government has retained key figures, with Defense Minister Mohammad al-Atifi and Interior Minister Abdulkarim al-Houthi continuing in their roles.

Lieutenant General Jalal al-Ruwaishan also remained as deputy prime minister for defense and security affairs.

🔴عاجل🔴
رئيس الوزراء أحمد الرهوي يقدم للرئيس المشاط تشكيلة الحكومة الجديدة، على النحو التالي:
- العلامة محمد أحمد أحمد مفتاح نائب أول لرئيس الوزراء
- الفريق الركن جلال علي علي الرويشان. نائب رئيس الوزراء لشؤون الدفاع والأمن
- محمد حسن إسماعيل المداني نائب رئيس الوزراء-وزير… pic.twitter.com/sp3HsLyUYW
— قناة المسيرة (@TvAlmasirah) August 12, 2024

Al-Rahawi, the newly-appointed premier, has been a member of the Supreme Political Council in Yemen since March 2019.

He comes from Abyan Governorate in southern Yemen and is a member of the Central Committee of the General People's Congress party.

Previously, al-Rahawi served as the governor of Abyan in the Sanaa government, as well as a deputy governor since 2009.

He also held the position of director general and chairman of the Local Council in the Khanfar District, the largest district in Abyan Governorate on the Arabian Sea.

The power reshuffle comes amid ongoing US-British aggression against Yemeni territories, which has caused heavy losses in both civilian lives and infrastructure.

During a meeting with President al-Mashat, Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi pledged that the new government would work diligently to meet the aspirations of the Yemeni people.

He stressed the administration's commitment to addressing the issues arising from the US-Saudi coalition and improving the efficiency of services to better serve the nation.

Recovering from a long legacy of 'dire conditions'

The formation of a new government marks a significant step toward addressing the severe crisis left behind by previous regimes and the ongoing US-Saudi-led blockade. Sources close to Al Mayadeen report that the number of ministerial positions has been reduced as part of this new government's strategy, which is seen as "the first step toward radical change."

The sources stressed the crucial need for popular support to enable the government to achieve meaningful change. "Change takes time," they said, highlighting the heavy legacy of "dire conditions" left by previous regimes.

The new government will be responsible for reviewing regulations and mechanisms within state institutions, in order to improve services and better serve the nation.

These reforms follow a speech by Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi on July 7, in which he stressed the importance of revamping state institutions. Many ministries and official bodies are "riddled with elements that work toward failure, obstruction, and corruption," Sayyed Al-Houthi said.