STC sees renewed debate over its structure, identity

ADEN, May 15 (YPA) – The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) issued on Friday a new amendment to its official name for the second time since early May, in what appears to reflect ongoing internal political adjustments within the group’s leadership structure.

A circular issued from the office of STC’s head Aidarous al-Zoubaidi introduced a new designation, referring to the body as the “South Arab Transitional Council” instead of the previous version announced earlier in May.

The latest change followed an earlier revision announced by STC figure Amr Al-Beidh on May 4, which modified the name from the “Southern Transitional Council” to the “Transitional Council of the South Arab,” highlighting a pattern of repeated adjustments to the group’s official nomenclature.

Observers described the frequent name changes as a sign of organizational uncertainty and internal political confusion within the STC’s leadership, particularly following recent developments that reportedly affected its administrative and political status in Aden.

In parallel, internal criticism has emerged within the group. A senior figure, Lotfi Shatara, publicly questioned the STC’s management approach, arguing that the issue extends beyond naming conventions to deeper structural and institutional governance challenges.

He stated that recent developments should have prompted a serious reassessment of the council’s performance since its establishment, warning that decision-making practices based on exclusivity have weakened institutional effectiveness and reduced internal organizational frameworks to formalities without real influence.

AA