At 86: Kuwait’s ruling emir dies

At the age of 86
The ruling emir of Kuwait has passed away

December 16, 2023, 12:06 pm

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The Palace of Kuwait announces the death of Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah “with great sadness and pain”. The ruling Amir died at the age of 86. He was already struggling with ill health in November. Succession is already arranged.

Kuwait’s ruling emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, has died at the age of 86, according to a palace statement carried by Kuwait state television. Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah was ruler of the oil-rich Gulf state for three years; He assumed office in September 2020 after the death of his half-brother.

A ruling party statement said the announcement of the death came “with great sadness and pain”. State television interrupted regular programs to broadcast verses recited from the Koran. According to state news agency Quna, Sheikh Nawaf was hospitalized in November due to an “emergency”.

Sheikh Nawaf was appointed Crown Prince in 2016 by his then-reigning half-brother Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. After taking office in September 2020, he led the country through an economic crisis caused by the collapse of oil prices. The current crown prince, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, is the late Sheikh’s half-brother. The 83-year-old’s government cabinet appointed him as the new emir shortly after his death, state news agency GUNA reported.

In Kuwait, power rests largely in the hands of the Al-Sabah ruling family. In 1962, it was the first Arab Gulf country to introduce a parliamentary system; People’s representation in the country is more powerful than any other Gulf country. Kuwaiti women have had the right to vote and stand for election since 2005. Recently, however, political conflicts between elected representatives and palace-appointed ministers have led to political turmoil, which has also deterred foreign investors.