End of an Era: Kuwait’s Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Passes Away
Kuwait faces a new chapter of governance with the appointment of Sheikh Mishal amid a backdrop of political and economic shifts
Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the former emir of Kuwait, died on Saturday at the age of 86. His tenure as Kuwait’s 16th emir, lasting three years, marked the second-shortest reign in the country’s history.
Prior to his ascension as emir, Sheikh Nawaf was appointed crown prince in 2006, during the reign of his brother, Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Following his brother’s demise in 2020, Sheikh Nawaf assumed the role of emir of Kuwait. Subsequently, he appointed another brother, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, as the crown prince. Sheikh Mishal has now been appointed as Kuwait’s new emir.
Born in 1937, Sheikh Nawaf was the fifth son of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the former emir of Kuwait, who ruled from 1921 until his death in 1950.
Upon assuming power in 2020, Sheikh Nawaf navigated Kuwait through significant domestic political and economic challenges. His reign was marked by the coronavirus pandemic, a notable decline in oil prices, and persistent political crises. These political crises primarily stemmed from issues between the parliament and the government.
A key member of the Organization of Petroleum Producing Countries, Kuwait’s economy, with a gross domestic product of $184 billion in 2022 as per official statistics, is predominantly reliant on oil exports. The country exports 2.8 million barrels of oil daily and has a population of about 4.3 million.
During Sheikh Nawaf’s three-year rule, seven different governments were established. In March 2023, the Kuwait Supreme Court invalidated the emir’s prior order to dissolve the National Assembly, Kuwait’s parliament, and to conduct elections in 2022. As a result, the 2022 elections were annulled, and the preceding council resumed governance.
Sheikh Nawaf’s passing has given rise to a potential new conflict in Kuwait, centered on governance. According to a semiformal constitutional arrangement, leadership in Kuwait should alternate between the descendants of Jaber II Al-Sabah and those of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. Both were the sons of Kuwait founder Mubarak the Great.
Sheikh Sabah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah, the last ruler from the sons of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, led Kuwait from 1965 to 1977. Following his tenure, Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah was appointed emir, ruling from 1977 until his death in 2006.
Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, his successor, was expected to remain in power until his death. However, just nine days after his appointment as emir in January 2006, the National Assembly transferred his power to Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, then the crown prince. This decision was due to Sheikh Saad’s poor health and his consequent inability to manage the country’s affairs.
Contrary to expectations, Sheikh Sabah appointed his brother, the late Sheikh Nawaf, as crown prince instead of a descendant of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. This move diverged from the expectations set by the Kuwaiti Constitution.
Following Sheikh Nawaf’s death on Saturday, the former crown prince, Sheikh Mishal, has ascended to power as the emir. This means that sons of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will rule Kuwait for three consecutive terms.
As of this writing, Kuwait has yet to appoint a new crown prince, with ongoing deliberations about whether the appointee will be a descendant of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah or Jaber II Al-Sabah.
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Sheikh Nawaf’s tenure was marked by internal crises and a more inward focus compared to the era of his brother, Sheikh Sabah, who previously ruled Kuwait. Prior to Sheikh Nawaf’s tenure, Kuwait did not play a significant role in the region, nor did it attempt to intervene in resolving regional crises.
Due to declining health, Sheikh Nawaf issued an Emiri order on November 15, 2021, enlisting Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal to exercise some of the emir’s constitutional powers on his behalf.
Before his appointment as crown prince, Emir Sheikh Mishal’s most senior role was deputy chief of the National Guard, as he had not held other high-ranking state positions.
Although the Kuwaiti Constitution allows Emir Sheikh Mishal a full year to appoint a new crown prince, numerous observers and politicians advocate for prompt action, emphasizing the importance of selecting a younger individual for the role.
Sheikh Mishal will face several problems surrounding Kuwait, and begin real and serious reform
Khalid Al-Lafi, a Kuwaiti journalist, told The Media Line: “Sheikh Mishal will face several problems surrounding Kuwait, and begin real and serious reforms.”
Al-Lafi said Kuwaitis anticipated the transfer of pivotal roles, including those of the crown prince and prime minister, to the younger generation.
“Kuwait, which is among the richest countries in the world, is suffering from unjustified crises due to political instability. We have a stifling crisis in services and development. We must solve it, otherwise the continued loss of state resources is unacceptable,” he said.
There are several political and economic crises in Kuwait currently, including an unstable parliament, incomplete development, in addition to a decline in foreign policy
Abdulaziz Sultan, a Kuwaiti writer and political activist, told The Media Line: “There are several political and economic crises in Kuwait currently, including an unstable parliament, incomplete development, in addition to a decline in foreign policy.”
He added that “Sheikh Mishal has great tasks in the coming period, the most difficult of which are certainly the leadership figures, starting from the position of crown prince, up to the government, ministers, parliament, and other important files.”
While Sultan acknowledged that Kuwait is one of the countries that exports the most oil per capita and population, “there is a need for real and serious reforms. Otherwise, the current situation will not lead us to a closed path.”
Salman Al-Khalidi, a Kuwaiti dissident living abroad, wrote on X, “There must be another arrangement for governance in Kuwait, and a new generation of young people must be chosen, and they must be according to what is agreed upon in the Kuwaiti Constitution and the applicable regulations.”
“There are large issues that must be resolved, and I suggest that powers be transferred to a new generation of young people,” he continued.
Dr. Abdel Rahman Fahd, a former professor of political science at several Gulf universities, told The Media Line, “It is expected that Kuwait’s main foreign policy with the Gulf states will remain as it was during the era of Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, especially with Riyadh.”
Sheikh Mishal desires stability for Kuwait and the region. He is a person who seeks peace.
According to Fahd, “Sheikh Mishal will also have a balanced relationship with the United States of America and with China.”
“Sheikh Mishal desires stability for Kuwait and the region. He is a person who seeks peace. Although he has a military background and worked in military positions, during his period of assuming government duties on behalf of the late emir, he affirmed his commitment to the constitution and not amending it,” concluded Fahd.
