Supreme Political Council

Logo of Supreme Political Council of Yemen.

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The Supreme Political Council (SPC; Arabic: المجلس السياسي الأعلى‎) is an executive body formed by Houthi Ansarullah and the General People's Congress (GPC) to rule Yemen. Formed on 28 July 2016, the presidential council consists of 10 members and until his death from a drone air strike on 19 April 2018 was headed by Saleh Ali al-Sammad as president with Qassem Labozah as vice-president.^[1] SPC carries out the functions of head of state in Yemen and is to manage Yemen's state affairs in a bid to fill in political vacuum during Yemeni Civil War in 2015.^[2] The Council aims to outline a basis for running the country and managing state affairs on the basis of the existing constitution.^[3][1] Later, SPC is also responsible for creating a head of government led by Abdel-Aziz bin Habtour known as National Salvation Government.^[4]

The members were sworn on 14 August 2016.^[5] On 15 August, the Supreme Revolutionary Committee (SRC) handed power to the Supreme Political Council.^[6] However, as of today, the SPC is not internationally recognized.^[3]

Background

In the wake of president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and prime minister Khaled Bahah resignations over Houthi rebels takeover of presidential palace on January 2015, Houthi leader Abdul Malik Al Houthi reportedly proposed a six-member "transitional presidential council" which would have equal representation from north and south, although this proposal was rejected by Southern Movement.^[7] Nevertheless, on 1 February, the Houthis gave an ultimatum to Yemen's political factions warning that if they did not reach a solution to the current political crisis, then the Houthi "revolutionary leadership" would assume formal authority over the state.^[8] According to Reuters, political factions have agreed to form an interim presidential council to manage the country for up to one year. Former South Yemen president Ali Nasser Mohammed was originally being considered as a prospective interim leader, but Mohammed later declined the post.^[9]

On 6 February 2015, the Houthis formally assumed over authority in Sana'a, declaring the dissolution of House of Representatives and announced that a "presidential council" would be formed to lead Yemen for two years, while a "revolutionary committee" would be put in charge of forming a new, 551-member national council.^[10] This governance plan was later affirmed by Houthi Ansarullah politburo leader Saleh Ali Al-Sammad as he suggested that such national council would choose a five-member presidential council to govern the country.^[11]

National Salvation Government

On 2 October 2016, Abdel-Aziz bin Habtour was appointed as Prime Minister by the Houthis.^[4] On 4 October, he formed his cabinet.^[12] The cabinet is composed by members of the Southern Movement.^[13] However, the cabinet is not internationally recognized.^[14]

On 28 November 2016, a new cabinet was formed.^[15] It is only composed by members of pro-Saleh GNC and Ansarullah Movement.

However, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said the move was "a new and unnecessary obstacle. Yemen is at a critical juncture. The actions recently taken by Ansarullah and the General People's Congress will only complicate the search for a peaceful solution. The parties must hold Yemen’s national interests above narrow partisan ambitions and take immediate steps to end political divisions and address the country’s security, humanitarian and economic challenges." He further claimed that such an action could harm peace talks.^[16]

References