Shaya al-Zindani

Shaya Mohsen al-Zindani^[b][1] (born 16 September 1954) is a Yemeni diplomat and statesman who has served as the prime minister of Yemen since 2026, and the minister of foreign affairs and expatriates since 2024. Zindani was the deputy foreign minister of South Yemen prior to unification and served numerous diplomatic posts afterwards, including the role of ambassador to the United Kingdom, Italy, Greece, Serbia, Albania, San Marino, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Zindani was born on 16 September 1954 in Jahaf District of Dhale Governorate in southern Yemen.^[2] His family traces its lineage to the northern Arhab region of Sanaa.^[3] He attended the University of Aden and graduated with a bachelor's degree in law before studying abroad at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.^[4] He received a higher diploma in philosophy, and a doctorate in the philosophy of law,^[2] and later an honorary doctorate in Diplomatic Sciences. Zindani was noted for his student activism, serving as president of the General National Union of Yemeni Students in 1974, and the secretary-general of the General Union of Arab Students in 1976.^[1]

From 1978 to 1981, Zindani taught at the University of Aden before joining the diplomatic corps of South Yemen. He was the minister plenipotentiary and chargé d'affaires at the South Yemeni embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, from 1981 to 1982, before serving as deputy foreign minister of South Yemen from 1986 to 1990.^[1] In this position, he was involved in talks with the Yemeni Arab Republic which led to the unification of Yemen in 1990, and headed the Yemeni delegation at a meeting between Arab diplomats on the day of the declaration of unity.^[2]

Zindani served as deputy foreign minister in the newly-formed Republic of Yemen from 1990 to 1991. From thereon, he served multiple international posts, including ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the UK from 1991 to 1994, ambassador and advisor to the permanent representative at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 1994 to 1997, ambassador to Italy and non-resident ambassador to Greece, Serbia, Albania, and San Marino from 2005 to 2010, and permanent representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization from 2008 to 2010.^[1]

From 2010 to 2015, Zindani served as the ambassador to Jordan.^[1] In this position, he supported the opposition during the Yemeni revolution, temporarily resigning alongside other officials in a display of solidarity for the demonstrations against then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh after security forces killed more than 50 protestors in March 2011.^[3][5][6] Later on, Zindani served as the Yemeni consul in Saudi Arabia before being appointed ambassador to the country in 2017, as well as the permanent representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.^[3][1]

President Rashad al-Alimi appointed Zindani the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates on 27 March 2024 to succeed Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, who was appointed prime minister.^[1] Casey Coombs of the Sana'a Center For Strategic Studies described Zindani as "highly qualified to the key ministerial office, with 40 years of diplomatic experience and a deep understanding of Saudi Arabia." The selection of Zindani provoked internal objections from multiple members of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) as well as Bin Mubarak, who feared that Zindani would overhaul his previous diplomatic appointments. The Saudi government hosted a meeting in Riyadh with the PLC and Bin Mubarak in April reportedly to settle the disputes.^[7]

As foreign minister, Zindani sought to strengthen relations with numerous countries including Oman,^[8] Egypt,^[9] Kuwait,^[10] and Vietnam.^[11] In an interview broadcast by Al Hadath on 11 May 2024, he reported warming relations with Ba'athist Syria, which he claimed did not recognize the Houthis as the legitimate authority in Yemen.^[12] Upon the fall of the Assad regime, Zindani held his first call with his Syrian caretaker government counterpart Asaad al-Sheibani on 30 December, during which they agreed upon the revitalization of bilateral relations and the reopening of the Yemeni embassy.^[13]

Speaking to The National in a February 2025 interview, Zindani said that "we don't see an end to the war any time soon," and that despite the recent weakening of its regional proxies, he believed Iran would continue to support the Houthis unless forced not to. He reported that the foreign ministry was engaged in strengthening relations with regional neighbours to benefit the Yemeni populace, and was being restructured to reduce corruption.^[14] He told Asharq al-Awsat in August that peace negotiations were effectively frozen due to lack of cooperation from the Houthis on the encouragement of Iran. He backed UN envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg "despite his shortcomings in some areas," and urged greater international action against Iranian weapons shipments to the Houthis. He emphasized the government's positive relations with China and the prioritization of relations with Saudi Arabia along with strives to "coordinate our efforts on the international arena."^[15]

Amidst a Saudi-backed Yemeni government offensive against the Southern Transitional Council in early January 2026, Zindani voiced support for the Saudi government's proposed conference between the different factions of southern Yemen.^[16]

The PLC appointed appointed Zindani as prime minister on 15 January 2026 following the resignation of Salem Saleh bin Braik, and tasked with forming a new cabinet. The move came amid turmoil within the government-controlled areas of the country following the collapse of the STC.^[17] Political researcher Abdulghani al-Iryani viewed the selection of Zindani, the first prime minister to be born in Dhale, as a means of retaining representation for the southern governorate following the flight of STC leader Aidarus al-Zoubaidi.^[18]

The new cabinet was announced on 6 February, with Zindani assuming the position of prime minister while also retaining his role as foreign minister.^[19] A total of 35 ministers were included in the cabinet, an increase of 10 members compared to the previous one. Its composition was noted for diversity in terms of professional background and regional and political representation, the latter interpreted by researcher Yaseen al-Tamimi as a return to an appeasement policy towards the different actors in the country. The inclusion of three female ministers was praised by local women's rights activists, while reception in the south was more mixed.^[20]

Zindani stated his government's objectives would be "improving living conditions and services for citizens, combating corruption and developing institutional performance to contribute to ending Houthi control of large parts of the country, restoring state institutions and consolidating stability."^[20]

Zindani is married and has three daughters and a son. He is fluent in Arabic, his native language, along with English.^[2]