Presidential Leadership Council

The Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) is the main governing group for the internationally recognized government of Yemen. It was created on 7 April 2022 to help lead the country. The council is led by Rashad al-Alimi and originally had eight members, including people from the Southern Transitional Council.

The PLC was given all the powers that the president and vice president normally have. The leader of the council also has important powers, such as commanding the military and choosing important leaders in different areas.

By May 2023, three of the eight seats in the PLC were held by members of the Southern Transitional Council. In December 2025, things became more complicated when Saudi forces left the city of Aden, and some members of the PLC, including the leader, left with them. Later, some members of the PLC decided to remove officials who supported the idea of southern independence. This led to the removal of two important leaders from the STC from the PLC in early 2026. New members were then added to fill these positions.

Members

Former members

• Faraj Salmin Al-Bahsani, former governor of Hadramaut and former commander of the second military region that operates in the province. He was appointed as the vice-chairman of the Southern Transitional Council in May 2023.
• Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, chairman and commander of the Southern Transitional Council and the leader of the Southern Movement.