86 Years Old Nawaf, Emir Of Kuwait Is dead

 

The emir of oil-rich Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, passed away at 86 on Saturday, as announced by the royal court. He was in power for three years, facing several political disputes.

""We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait," stated a message broadcast on state television. The channel interrupted its regular programming to air a Koranic recital before making the announcement.

In November, Sheikh Nawaf was hospitalized due to an emergency health issue and was later declared to be in stable condition, according to the official KUNA news agency.

Due to his age, worries over his health were frequent during his reign.

Sheikh Nawaf was appointed crown prince in 2006 by his half-brother Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. He became emir after Sheikh Sabah's death in September 2020 at the age of 91.

In 2020, Sheikh Nawaf faced the challenge of steering the economy through an oil price-triggered crisis.

The current crown prince, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, is 83 years old. Attention is now focused on whether a younger generation ruler will be appointed.

Around 14 months after his appointment, Sheikh Nawaf delegated essential constitutional duties to Sheikh Mishal.

Sheikh Nawaf's reign was notable for issuing many amnesties, earning him the title "emir of pardons," according to Bader al-Saif, an assistant professor of history at Kuwait University.

Last month, Kuwait's Council of Ministers approved a draft royal decree for pardons for political prisoners convicted during the past decade. Similar pardons were also issued in 2021.

 Saif said Sheikh Nawaf would also be remembered for his unique personal attributes: he was soft-spoken, devout, modest, and low-profile. 

Kuwait, a conservative country where sovereign powers are concentrated in the hands of the ruling Al Sabah family, hosts the most potent and active parliament in the Gulf region.

But repeated standoffs between elected lawmakers and cabinet ministers installed by the ruling family have hindered development efforts and discouraged investors.

After multiple resignations and dissolutions in parliament, Kuwait's current cabinet is the fifth in a year.

Sheikh Nawaf's rule also saw the Gulf country hold three parliamentary elections in as many years.

The political stalemate has hindered necessary reforms and obstructed development projects, causing infrastructure and education to deteriorate and leaving much of the population discontented.

Born in 1937, Sheikh Nawaf was the fifth son of Kuwait's late ruler from 1921 to 1950, Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

He began his political career at 25 as governor of Hawalli province and later served as interior minister for a decade until 1988.