Hadramout (South24)

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On Tuesday (January 7), the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) announced a comprehensive plan for achieving stability in Hadramout with an aim to meeting the locals' long-term demands and enhancing the national role of the governorate. 

According to a statement published by the state-run Saba News Agency, the plan determines several development projects and governance reforms designed to boost economic stability, public services, and security in the governorate. 

The PLC stressed the importance of unity among political and social entities in Hadramout, urging them to avoid internal disputes and focus on enhancing peace, development, and the rule of law. 

Main Measures of the Plan

The plan includes allocating the revenues from selling the crude oil held in the storages of Al-Dhaba and Al-Masila to establish two new electricity stations in the coast and valley of Hadramout. This step aims to boost the deteriorating energy sector in the governorate. 

The plan also includes establishing a General Hospital in Al-Hadhaba area (Ghail Bin Youmain) by using the revenues from the sale of the diesel kept in the storages of PetroMasila Company. This is along with investigating corruption allegations against the company to ensure transparency and accountability. 

The plan outlines measures for mobilizing the people of Hadramout in the armed and security forces as part of approved conscription rules. This is along with boosting the management of local and national revenues for the development and reconstruction of the governorate, in coordination with the government and regional and international donors. 

The PLC stressed that these measures were decided upon as a result of extensive deliberations within the council in November and December last year. It urged for cooperation to ensure the success of these steps and help create the circumstances for reforms to restore the status of Hadramout as a main driver for development and peace. 

Local Reactions

The Hadramout Local Authority welcomed the plan, describing it as “a responsible and historical move” toward achieving stability in the region and improving the livelihood conditions.

In a statement, the Hadramout Local Authority affirmed its commitment to cooperate with all political and social factions to carry out the initiatives effectively. It also praised PetroMasila's contributions to the governorate but stressed the importance of transparency and accountability.

The Hadramout Tribes Confederacy, in a statement, positively responded to the plan, deeming it as a move toward achieving people's demands. Its spokesperson, Kaash Saeed Al-Saeedi, announced an upcoming meeting that would include tribal sheikhs and social and political figures to study the situation and discuss the declared measures. 

For its part, the Saudi-funded Hadramout National Council hailed the PLC's efforts, stressing its full support to the plan and readiness to cooperate with the Hadramout Local Authority and all entities to ensure its implementation in order to serve sustainable development and enhance national partnership.

The PLC's plan follows months of escalation, led by the Hadramout Tribes Confederacy and the Hadramout Inclusive Conference, to demand improved livelihood conditions and restore the oil-rich governorate’s rights. The protests had included the deployment of tribal gunmen at points around the oil fields to prevent oil tankers from leaving. 

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Hadramout hasn't so far announced its stance regarding the announced measures. However, PLC's member and Vice President of the STC, Faraj Al-Bahsani, praised the political and tribal forces in Hadramout for their awareness and support of the Presidential Council's decisions, describing them as "a sincere expression of support for Hadramout's stability and development."

In 2023, Al-Bahsani was appointed as the STC Vice president. He boycotted some PLC meetings during the past year in protest to highlight that issues related to Hadramout weren't discussed and the failure to find solutions.