Change of Leadership in Kuwait after Emir's Passing
The Gulf state of Kuwait experienced a shift in power following the demise of its ruler, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, in September 2020. The state news agency, Kuna, reported the news with a sense of profound sorrow, stating that Sheikh Nawaf had been admitted to the hospital in November due to an emergency. Sheikh Nawaf, born in 1937, had been appointed crown prince by his half-brother, Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in 2016.
His successor, Sheikh Mishal, is likewise a half-brother of the late sheikh. Sheikh Mishal, who has twelve sons, previously served as Minister of the Interior and Deputy Supreme Commander of the National Guard from 2004 to 2020. As the 17th ruler of Kuwait, which gained independence from Great Britain in 1961, Sheikh Mishal now holds the responsibility to appoint a crown prince within a year. The question remains as to whether he will elevate a representative from the younger generation to this position.
Kuwait, with a population of 4.5 million, largely maintains power within the hands of the ruling Al-Sabah family, although it introduced a parliamentary system in 1962, making it the first Arab Gulf state to provide a platform for popular representation. Kuwaiti women have enjoyed the right to vote and stand for election since 2005.
According to the Kuwaiti constitution, only descendants of Mubarak al-Sabah have the authority to assume the throne. However, the traditional practice of handing power between the Salem and Jaber lineages has been occasionally disrupted. In this instance, Sheikh Sabah broke from this practice by appointing Sheikh Nawaf, who belonged to the Jaber line, effectively excluding the Salem line from the line of succession.
During Sheikh Nawaf's reign, political tensions arose between elected members of parliament and ministers appointed by the palace, culminating in the formation of the seventh government cabinet in April 2020.,
Kuwait is a small nation that is rich in oil reserves, accounting for about seven percent of the world's total reserves. The country has benefited immensely from its oil wealth in recent decades. Despite this, progress in Kuwait has been hampered by political instability, which has slowed down reconstruction in the country and led to criticism about the deterioration of infrastructure and public services. Moreover, there are shortcomings in the education system as well.
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Sheikh Mishal, the new Emir of Kuwait, will lead the nation amid widespread sorrow following the passing of Sheikh Nawaf. Sheikh Mishal has been appointed to this position as a descendant of the state's founder, Mubarak al-Sabah, per the provisions of the Kuwaiti constitution. He now holds the responsibility of appointing a crown prince within a year and will pursue economic diversification efforts to move the country beyond its reliance on oil.
Additional Information
- The succession of power in Kuwait is subject to the traditional laws of the Al-Sabah family, where the Emir selects the crown prince, and the late Sheikh Mishal's appointment as the Crown Prince in October 2020 paved the way for his ascension to the throne.
- The new Emir has faced political challenges, most notably over issues such as corruption and economic diversification, leading him to dissolve the parliament in May 2024.
The transition of power in Kuwait is shaped by the country's traditional succession laws and its political climate. Sheikh Mishal is expected to overcome the political challenges faced by Kuwait and uphold the country's constitutional requirements.
