Mishal alAhmad alJaber alSabah is the new Emir of Kuwait Kuwait News Agency
The Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal alAhmad alJaber alSabah, 83 years old, was appointed this Saturday (16) as the country's new emir the death of his predecessoran exchange that takes place at a time of internal tension.
“The Kuwaiti Cabinet appoints the Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Mishal, as Emir of the State of Kuwait,” announced state television in this small oilrich Gulf state.
Mishal will become the 17th ruler of Kuwait, succeeding his halfbrother Sheikh Nawaf alAhmad alSabah, who died today at the age of 86 after three years in office, the royal court announced.
The new emir, who was named crown prince in 2020, was interior minister and devoted much of his career to security and intelligence.
The father of twelve children will take his oath of allegiance to Parliament in the coming days or weeks.
Sheikh Nawaf's death and the advanced age of his successor are increasing insecurity in a country wracked by divisions, including within the AlSabah family, with allegations of corruption and conspiracy leveled against some of its members.
“The succession process without turbulence (…) reflects the maturity of the Kuwaiti political system,” emphasized Abdullah Al Chayji, professor of political science at the University of Kuwait, in a comment on social media.
According to the official KUNA news agency, Sheikh Nawaf was hospitalized in November for “an urgent health issue,” without giving details of the illness. His condition was later reported to be stable.
Given his age, his health was always a major issue during his time in office.
Sheikh Nawaf was appointed crown prince by his halfbrother Sheikh Sabah alAhmad alSabah in 2006 and took over the role of emir following his death in September 2020 at the age of 91.
After his death, many countries honored him. The Saudi royal family said they “shared the pain” over Kuwait and the emir of Qatar called his death “painful.” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described him as “a great friend of the United Kingdom.”
A country of 4.5 million people, 1.3 million of whom are Kuwaitis, Kuwait has been mired in a deep crisis between the executive and legislative branches for several years, blocking any attempt at reform.
Kuwait's constitution states that the ruler must be a descendant of the country's founder, Mubarak alSabah. But for a long time the tradition of switching between the Salem and Jaber family branches was respected.
The former Emir Sheikh Sabah from the Jaber family ended this tradition by appointing Sheikh Nawaf, also Jaber, as crown prince in 2006, thereby replacing the Salem family.
Sheikh Nawaf was emir for only three years, but was involved in the country's turbulent leadership for six decades, holding several important positions.
Among other things, he was defense minister when Iraq invaded the country in 1990 and also held the interior portfolio when Kuwaiti security forces fought against armed Islamists in 2005.
In the diplomatic sphere, he maintained the “status quo” and decided to forego relations with Israel. However, it maintained balanced relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran, the two major regional enemies.
With his discreet style, he managed to survive Kuwait's hectic politics, which was characterized by repeated clashes between the government and parliament.
A conservative country where power is concentrated in the hands of the alSabah family, Kuwait has the most active and powerful parliament in the Gulf.
It is one of the world's largest oil exporters and holds about 7% of the world's crude oil reserves. It is an extremely wealthy state where instability has slowed reforms and infrastructure development.
The constant battle between the executive and the parliamentarians has led to a government dance and the dissolution of the assembly several times in the last decade.
At the beginning of April, the small monarchy formed its seventh government in three years. A few days later, the emir dissolved parliament and called new parliamentary elections.
In general, Sheikh Nawaf remained on the sidelines of political life in favor of Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal.