Arabia appoints first female minister and adds youth to Defence
Saudi Arabia has appointed its first female minister in a cabinet reshuffle to add youth to prominent economic and security posts.
The changes, announced in royal decrees late on Monday by King Salman, came a month before the third anniversary of the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemen war. Tamadur Al Ramah was made Deputy Labour Minister in a breakthrough for women in the kingdom, while the military chief of staff, air defence and land forces leaders and senior interior and defence officials were removed.
King Salman replaced the military leaders in an upgrade to the Ministry of Defence, which included a new strategy to improve its organisation and governance.
“Termination of the services of Gen Abdul Rahman bin Saleh Al Bunyan, Chief of Staff,” the ministry announced, adding that Fayyad Al Ruwaili had been appointed as his replacement.
No official reason was given for the changes, but they were made on the recommendation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also Minister of Defence, state media said.
Saudi analyst Ahmed Al Towayan said the new appointments were “pumping young blood” into local government while elevating young commanders into top military posts.
Since Prince Mohammed became heir to the throne, the kingdom has made major economic and social reforms.
From June, women will be allowed to drive and have been recruited to work in ground services in airports.
The appointment of Mrs Al Ramah came a day after the government announced that women could apply to be soldiers for the first time in the country’s modern history.
A senior Saudi cleric said last month that women need not wear the abaya, although Sheikh Abdullah Al Mutlaq’s comments do not necessarily signal a change in the law.
The kingdom also announced that women no longer need the consent of a male relative to open their own businesses, signalling a step away from the Saudi guardianship system.
Prince Mohammed has led Vision 2030, the kingdom’s economic plan aimed at moving the country away from its dependence on oil.
As part of the initiative, the government aims to increase the percentage of women in the nation’s workforce from 22 per cent to 30 per cent.
The Crown Prince is proving popular with many young Saudis, who make up the vast majority of the population.
King Salman’s decree also includes the appointment of three deputy governors from among the descendants of Princes Ahmed, Talal and Muqrin – brothers of King Salman.
The new deputy governor of Asir province, Prince Turki bin Talal, is the brother of billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who was among about 200 princes, ministers and tycoons detained in Riyadh’s luxury Ritz-Carlton hotel as part of the government’s anti-corruption campaign.
Prince Alwaleed was released last month.
The appointment of Mrs Al Ramah came a day after the government announced that women could apply to be soldiers for the first time