Yemen/Anadolu

Yemeni authorities announced last Thursday the appointment of Afrah al-Zoba as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, an unprecedented step making her the first woman to hold this ministerial portfolio in the country's history, as part of a minor cabinet reshuffle affecting three ministries.

This cabinet reshuffle comes amid Yemeni government efforts to enhance the role of women in leadership positions and as affirmation of the path of institutional reforms.

The official Yemeni news agency Saba reported that a republican decree was issued to reshuffle the government of Prime Minister Shaye al-Zindani, based on his proposal and the approval of the Presidential Leadership Council.

According to Anadolu Agency, the republican decree appointed Dr. Afrah Abdulaziz al-Zoba as head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, making her the first woman to hold this position.

The reshuffle also included appointing Engineer Badr Mohammed Mubarak Basalama to the portfolio of planning and international cooperation, and Dr. Ahd Mohammed Salem Jasous as Minister of Local Administration.

The decision takes effect from its date of issuance and will be published in the official gazette, according to the agency.

The government of Shaye al-Zindani was formed on February 6 of this year and included 35 ministers, among them three women. The prime minister at that time also held the foreign portfolio alongside his position.

Before the reshuffle, al-Zoba was the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Basalama was Minister of Local Administration, and Jasous was Minister of State for Women's Affairs.

Under the reshuffle, al-Zindani will devote himself to running the government after the foreign portfolio is transferred to al-Zoba.

Al-Zoba is an academic and political figure. Before the government reshuffle, she had served as Minister of Planning and International Cooperation. With the transfer of the foreign portfolio to her, Prime Minister al-Zindani will fully devote himself to managing government affairs. This step is expected to bolster Yemeni diplomacy and expand women's representation in the executive branch. The cabinet reshuffle also reflects ongoing coordination between the Presidential Leadership Council and the government in managing public affairs.