Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh passed away at age of 86
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, aged 86, passed away on Saturday, as announced by the royal court. His cause of death has not been disclosed. Last month, the emir was admitted to the hospital due to an emergency health problem. Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, who has been Kuwait’s de facto ruler since 2021, was named as Sheikh Nawaf’s successor.
Kuwait has declared 40 days of mourning and a three-day closure of official departments. World leaders have expressed their condolences to Sheikh Nawaf’s successor, the Al Sabah family, and the people of Kuwait. U.S. President Joe Biden described Sheikh Nawaf as a “valued partner and true friend of the United States” and pledged to continue strengthening the longstanding ties between the two countries.
Sheikh Nawaf became emir in September 2020 following the death of his brother, Sheikh Sabah, who had ruled for over a decade and shaped the state’s foreign policy for more than 50 years. Despite a standoff between the government and elected parliament during his reign, Sheikh Nawaf was seen as a consensus builder. In recent months, consensus has returned between the government and parliament.
Kuwait, with the world’s seventh-largest oil reserves, shares borders with Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and lies across the Gulf from Iran. Under Sheikh Nawaf’s rule, Kuwait maintained a foreign policy that balanced ties with its neighboring countries. Domestically, eight governments were formed during his tenure.
As per Kuwait’s constitution, the crown prince automatically becomes emir but assumes power only after taking an oath in parliament. The new emir has up to a year to name an heir. Analysts and diplomats suggest that both Sheikh Nawaf and his crown prince Sheikh Meshal appeared to align Kuwait more closely with Saudi Arabia.
The appointment of the new crown prince and premier, who will manage the government’s relationship with parliament, will be closely watched as a younger generation of Kuwait’s ruling family vies for position. Factional struggles within the Al Sabah family have often played out in parliament as contenders for succession build their own political capital.
Sheikh Nawaf attempted to secure a detente on the domestic political scene before handing over most of his constitutional duties to his designated heir. However, the stalemate continued, leading Sheikh Meshal to dissolve parliament and hold early elections in June to put an end to the political bickering.
Kuwait, despite banning parliamentary parties, remains one of the region’s most politically liberal states, with a lively political debate and the most powerful elected legislative assembly in the region, representing Sunnis, Shi’ites, liberals, and Islamists.
Leader from Europs
Leaders from around the world, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, have expressed their condolences and praised Sheikh Nawaf’s dedication and commitment to his country.
