If you’re looking for a simple name to put on a mailing envelope to the Yemeni head of state, you’re looking for Rashad al-Alimi. He is the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC). But honestly, calling him "the President" is like saying a quarterback is the whole football team. In Yemen’s chaotic political climate of 2026, it's a lot more complicated than a single job title.
Al-Alimi has been steering the ship since April 2022, when the previous president, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, basically handed over the keys and stepped aside. But Al-Alimi doesn't sit on a traditional throne. He leads an eight-member council that represents the internationally recognized government.
The Current State of the Presidency in 2026
Right now, as we sit in January 2026, the ground is shifting beneath Al-Alimi’s feet. For a long time, the biggest headache for the government was the Houthi movement in the north. That hasn't changed—the Houthis still hold Sana'a and most of the people. However, just this month, a massive internal explosion rocked the government's own side.
You've probably heard about the Southern Transitional Council (STC). They were supposed to be Al-Alimi's partners in the fight against the Houthis. But things went south—literally. In early January 2026, the PLC officially dismissed the STC leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, from the council. They didn't just fire him; they accused him of high treason.
The drama reached a boiling point when Saudi-backed forces moved to reclaim Aden, the temporary capital, from STC control. By January 8, Al-Alimi’s government had successfully reasserted authority over the city. It was a bold, risky move to consolidate power. If you check the news today, you'll see Al-Alimi is busy appointing new faces—like Mahmoud al-Subaihi and Salem al-Khanbashi—to fill the holes left by the ousted southern leaders.
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Who is Rashad al-Alimi, anyway?
Al-Alimi isn't some fresh-faced revolutionary. He's a veteran. Born in Taiz in 1954, he’s a guy who knows how the old system worked because he was a big part of it.
- He has a PhD in Sociology from Egypt.
- He served as the Minister of Interior under the long-time ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh.
- He’s known more as a "fixer" or a "statesman" than a charismatic populist.
People who work with him say he prefers "management over display." He isn't the guy giving 3-hour fiery speeches. He’s the guy in the back room trying to stop the whole country from falling into ten different pieces.
The "Other" President: Mahdi al-Mashat
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. If you travel to the capital, Sana'a, and ask who the president is, nobody is going to say Rashad al-Alimi. They’ll point to Mahdi al-Mashat.
Al-Mashat heads the Supreme Political Council for the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah). While most of the world—including the UN and the US—doesn't recognize him as the legitimate head of state, he is the one actually collecting taxes and running the show for the majority of Yemen’s population. Iran is his main international backer. So, Yemen basically has two "presidents" depending on which side of the frontline you're standing on.
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Why the Title "President" Is So Fragile
It’s tempting to think of the PLC as a unified government, but it's really a marriage of convenience that just had a messy divorce.
The council was created to bring everyone who hated the Houthis under one roof. You had separatists, Islamists, and old-school loyalists all sitting at the same table. It was never going to be easy. The recent removal of Al-Zubaidi shows that Al-Alimi is trying to transition from being a "coordinator" to an actual "ruler."
"We will no longer accept any solutions that diminish our rights,"
That was Al-Zubaidi’s defiant response from exile just a few days ago. It’s a reminder that even though Al-Alimi holds the official title, his authority is still being challenged every single day by both the Houthis in the north and disgruntled factions in the south.
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What's Next for Yemen's Leadership?
If you're following this closely, keep an eye on the new Prime Minister, Shaya Mohsin Zindani. Al-Alimi just appointed him this week to form a new cabinet. This is a clear attempt to refresh the government and show the world—and the Yemeni people—that the PLC can actually govern, not just fight internal battles.
The big question for 2026 is whether Al-Alimi can turn this "streamlined" council into a force that can actually negotiate a peace deal with the Houthis. Without the STC's baggage, he might have a clearer path, but he also has fewer soldiers on the ground.
Actionable Insights for Following Yemen’s Politics:
- Watch the Port of Aden: It’s the heartbeat of the PLC government. If Al-Alimi can keep it stable and open, his legitimacy stays intact.
- Follow the "Homeland Shield": These are the Saudi-backed units now securing Aden. Their success or failure determines if Al-Alimi stays in the palace.
- Monitor the UN Briefings: Hans Grundberg, the UN Special Envoy, is still pushing for a "road map." See if he starts inviting Al-Alimi’s new council members to the table.
- Don't Ignore the South: Just because the STC was pushed out of Aden doesn't mean the dream of an independent South Yemen is dead. Protests are still happening.
The situation in Yemen is a moving target. Rashad al-Alimi is the president on paper and in the eyes of the UN, but his real power is a work in progress.