Aden (South24 Center)

Aidrous Al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Vice President of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, returned to the capital Aden on Monday evening (July 14) after an international tour that included the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. He was accompanied by STC Vice President Major General Abdulrahman Al-Mahrami and several members of the STC’s Presidium.

Within hours of his return, Al-Zubaidi on Tuesday embarked on a series of active institutional and political moves, beginning with an inspection tour of the STC’s central and auxiliary bodies, as well as the Executive Body of the STC in Aden.

During his tour, he emphasized the importance of enhancing professional discipline and a sense of responsibility, stressing that institutional performance must reflect southern aspirations toward building effective institutions.

The following day, Al-Zubaidi chaired an expanded meeting that included members of the STC’s Presidium, ministers and deputy ministers affiliated with the STC in the government, as well as heads of various bodies and committees.

During the meeting, Al-Zubaidi provided a comprehensive briefing on the outcomes of his external engagements, which focused on rallying regional and international support to address the worsening economic crisis and advancing the political process.

Al-Zubaidi noted that recent protests in Aden represent a legitimate expression of real suffering, affirming that the STC does not shirk its responsibilities but rather seeks to address them transparently and courageously within the framework of partnership in the Presidential Leadership Council and the government.

On the political front, Al-Zubaidi stressed that the political process cannot move forward with a militia classified as a terrorist organization, referring to the Houthi group. He pointed out that recent strikes against the Iranian regime have altered the regional calculations.

Al-Zubaidi also announced that the STC is preparing to implement a comprehensive restructuring plan for its organizational bodies, including injecting new blood into central and local leadership positions based on a thorough evaluation of the past two years performance, aiming to enhance the Council’s effectiveness and institutional integration.

On the same day (July 16), Al-Zubaidi received the French Ambassador to Yemen, Catherine Corm-Kammoun, and discussed with her the latest political, economic, and humanitarian developments.

He called for serious international support for financial reforms, stressing the need to unify sovereign revenues and deposit them in the Central Bank. He also appreciated French support in women’s empowerment and cultural infrastructure rehabilitation.

The meeting touched on the Houthi escalation in the Red Sea and their recent financial measures, including the issuance of an illegal currency. The French ambassador condemned these measures, describing them as irresponsible and further complicating the economic crisis.

In a related context, Maashiq Palace in Aden witnessed diplomatic activity on Wednesday, as the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, received the credentials of the ambassadors of Japan, Sudan, and Vietnam.