The emir of Kuwaitthe sheikh Nawaf al Ahmad al Sabah, died this Saturday at 86 years. His death occurred after a three-year mandate marked by multiple political conflicts at the head of this country. “It is with great sadness that we mourn the death of Sheikh Nawaf al Ahmad Al Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait,” the statement said. Rhea Courtl in a statement broadcast by state television, which interrupted its programming and broadcast verses from the Koran.
In November, Sheikh Nawaf al Ahmad al Sabah was admitted to hospital “due to a problem with urgent health“However, they did not give details about the illness he was suffering from. Some time later he was declared in stable condition, but due to his age, his health was the subject of concern on several occasions during his mandate.
After the death of the emir of Kuwait, they appointed the new leader
Sheikh Nawaf was appointed crown prince by his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah al Ahmad al Sabah, and took over as emir after the death of this at 91 years old in September 2020.
Shortly after the announcement of Sheikh Nawaf’s death, state television reported the appointment of the crown prince as the new emir, Sheikh Mishal al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah83 years old, and step brother of the late emir.
Regarding the situation in the country, Kuwait has been mired for several years in a deep crisis between the Executive and Legislative powers. The disappearance of Sheikh Nawaf and the advanced age of his successor increase uncertainty in a country shaken by divisions, even within the Al Sabah family, some members of which accuse others of corruption or conspiracy.
The Constitution of Kuwait states that the sovereign must be a descendant of the founder of the nation, Mubarak al Sabah. But for a long time a tradition of alternation between the Salem and Jaber family branches was respected.
The former emir Sheikh Sabah, of the Jaber family, put an end to this tradition by appointing as crown prince in 2006 to Sheikh Nawaf, also a Jaber, thus alienating the Salem family.
Who was Nawaf al Ahmad al Sabah for Kuwait
Sheikh Nawaf was only emir for three years, but he was six decades involved in the direction of the country and held multiple positions of responsibility within it. He was Minister of Defense when Iraq invaded the country in 1990 and also held the Interior portfolio during the period in which Kuwaiti security forces fought armed Islamists in 2005.
In the diplomatic sphere, he maintained the status quo, choosing not to maintain relations with Israel. However, he maintained balanced relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran, the two great regional enemies. With his discreet style, he managed to survive the hectic Kuwaiti politics, marked by repeated disputes between the Government and Parliament.
The country is one of the major oil exporters of the world and which has close to 7% of the world’s crude oil reserves, is an extremely rich State where instability slowed down reforms and infrastructure development.
In early April, the small monarchy formed its seventh government in three years. A few days later, the emir dissolved Parliament and called new legislative elections.
Source: Ambito
