According to the constitution, the emir is to be replaced by Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, 83, a half-brother who has served as Minister of the Interior and Deputy Chief of the National Guard. Sheikh Nawaf has been Acting Emir since Sheikh Sabah left Kuwait for treatment in the US.
The energy-dependent monarchy, whose 1.4 million citizens are among the richest in the world by average per capita income, is home to about 8.5% of the world’s oil reserves, according to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. . Oil and gas account for about 40% of Kuwait’s economic output and more than 90% of export earnings.
As Foreign Minister for more than 40 years, Sheikh Sabah sought to turn Kuwait into a regional power broker by mediating disputes between Arabs, maintaining strong ties with the United States and the United Kingdom, and rebuilding relations with Iraq after the Fall of President Saddam Hussein, who had invaded Kuwait in August 1990. In his country, he occasionally removed parliament, consolidating a struggle with the legislature that often led to political and economic stagnation.
The death of the emir could reopen debates about the nation’s political system, according to Shafeeq Ghabra, a professor of political science at the University of Kuwait. The democracy watchdog Freedom House classifies Kuwait as “partially free”, citing restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly, while noting that it has an elected parliament that often defies the government.
‘Viable mediator’
“It’s a transition, there will be changes, there could be reconciliation, there could be challenges, there could be some power vacuum,” Ghabra said. “To his credit, the emir has conducted a very thoughtful foreign policy for a small country, and was the only viable mediator in the Gulf crisis” that pits Qatar with an alliance of Arab states.
Sheikh Nawaf, while a number largely unknown to many Kuwaitis, shares similar character traits, Ghabra said. “He’s thoughtful and sometimes when you meet someone like that, he’s not very stubborn. Let others come closer and find common ground. “
The Gulf standoff was the defining cause of Sheikh Sabah’s final years in power. It sought to resolve the conflict between the Gulf Cooperation Council states that erupted when Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain imposed an embargo on Qatar over its ties to Iran and alleged terrorist financing. Qatar remains boycotted, but Kuwait has maintained relations with both sides of the dispute, while maintaining an open channel of communication with Iran.
At home, the charismatic Sheikh Sabah was a tactical ruler and largely revered by his own people. Still, it maintained a tight grip on power and defended itself against opposition-led street protests in the wake of the Arab Spring riots that demanded a review of Kuwait’s democracy. Instead, he made only minor modifications while dissolving parliament multiple times and changing the electoral system in 2012 to limit the number of candidates voters could choose in his constituency.
During his tenure, successive governments put aside difficult decisions on issues that included cutting costly subsidies and introducing taxes. The executive and legislative branches have often disagreed on the implementation of key economic reforms. Political dysfunction led to a revolving door at the critical oil ministry, with ministers rarely serving long.
Budget deficits
Under successive governments during the Sheikh Sabah government, Kuwait’s economy stagnated, depending almost entirely on changes in energy prices, as diversification efforts never went beyond the project phase. The sharp drop in oil prices after 2014, combined with a generous welfare system, left the country with persistently high budget deficits. Kuwait has forecast its largest deficit in the current fiscal year, which is forecast to reach 40% of gross domestic product, exacerbated by falling oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic.
Sheikh Sabah was born in Kuwait on June 16, 1929, before the country became a rich oil exporter. He was the fourth son of a former emir, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who ruled from 1921 to 1950, and was educated by Kuwaiti schools and private tutors. He named New York among his favorite places, frequented Oman on fishing trips and was an avid FC Barcelona fan.
In 1962, he became Minister of Guidance and Information, a year before being appointed Chancellor, a position he held until he became Prime Minister in 2003. In the 1970s and 1980s, he was Minister of Information, as well as Chancellor and Vice Minister. Prime Minister since 1978.
Sheikh Sabah was appointed emir in 2006. Even before that, he had assumed the role of de facto ruler when other important family members were too sick or frail to do the job. He took over leadership after parliament removed Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, emir for nine days, claiming he was too ill to rule.
Sheikh Sabah was a widower and survived by three children.
This story was published from a news agency feed with no changes to the text. Only the title has been changed.
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