The current task of Yemeni President Rashad Al Alimi is to unite all militias under the command of the Ministries of Defense and Interior. This is crucial to stabilize the country after years of fragmentation and civil conflict.
One possible approach is to continue the institutional framework of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) by restructuring its membership to represent the six regions once proposed by former President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. Each regional president would serve concurrently as a member of the eight-member PLC, including the chairman and deputy.
Alternatively, the PLC could be dissolved, leaving only the president and vice president at the national level, while each region would have its own regional president. This would decentralize authority while maintaining a national executive leadership.
Another key strategy is to strengthen the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission (CRC) by including traditional sultans or sheikhs from historic monarchies, tribal leaders, political party representatives, scholars, and ideally, five Houthi members as a bridge for peace.
The Consultation and Reconciliation Commission (CRC) was established on April 7, 2022 by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi with the main objective of supporting the PLC and unifying the fragmented political and social forces in Yemen.
The commission is not merely a bureaucratic body; it was designed as a national dialogue platform that brings together political groups, social factions, and community components into a single forum, functioning as a “mini-parliament” for reconciliation.
CRC consists of 50 members from diverse backgrounds, including political leaders, former government officials, and community figures representing different regions and national interests.
At the top of the commission is Mohammed al-Ghaithi, who serves as chairman and is also a key figure from the Southern Transitional Council (STC), one of the major actors in southern Yemen.
The four vice-chairpersons are Abdulmalik al-Mikhlafi, Sakhr Al-Wajeeh, Jamilah Ali Rajaa, and Akram Al-Amiri. Together with the chairman, they play a strategic role in formulating recommendations and approaches for national reconciliation.
CRC members include representatives from major political parties, northern and southern regional representatives, as well as civil society figures with strong networks within their communities.
The commission functions as a forum for dialogue and mediation on sensitive issues, including power-sharing, demands for regional autonomy, and reconciliation among warring factions, including southern local demands.
By incorporating voices from various Yemeni components, CRC acts as a builder of national consensus, helping the PLC make more inclusive and balanced decisions.
Strengthening the CRC allows for greater inclusion of non-state actors, such as traditional leaders, tribal chiefs, and religious figures who hold strong social legitimacy within their communities.
In this context, including descendants of sultans, sheikhdoms, and tribal leaders gives voice to social structures that have historically influenced local politics in Yemen, enhancing the CRC’s grassroots legitimacy.
The idea of including Houthi representatives in the CRC has also been discussed in reconciliation discourse, though implementation remains complex due to political and military differences between the Houthis and the PLC.
However, the concept of inclusivity remains critical: CRC is not just a pro-PLC forum but an official space that recognizes components traditionally outside the state structure.
CRC members include former parliament officials, prominent community figures, and activists active in humanitarian and civil rights issues.
The commission has been involved in several important diplomatic meetings, including with representatives of friendly countries and international mediators, to strengthen the political process.
In recent sessions, CRC has expressed support for PLC steps to address the political crisis in the south and urged all parties to accelerate dialogue and reconciliation.
CRC has played a mediating role when sensitive issues arise, such as when the STC announces political steps, and CRC responds with statements emphasizing dialogue and balance.
The existence of CRC gives the PLC a non-military tool to bridge internal conflicts and minimize escalation through consultations involving all parties.
With 50 members, CRC can also serve as a platform for broad social consensus, including voices from northern and southern regions, civil society, and local leaders.
Strengthening the CRC by including more traditional figures, descendants of sultanates, and community representatives makes the reconciliation process more rooted in society, rather than limited to political elites.
If expanded to include politically recognized Houthi representation, CRC could become a more realistic model for unifying Yemen without ignoring on-the-ground political realities.
Observers view the strengthening of this body as a way to create longer-lasting peace, fostering dialogue among marginalized groups.
With a more inclusive structure, CRC can become a home for all Yemeni voices — from political elites to traditional leaders, armed factions to civil society — establishing itself as a central pillar of national unity.
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