Successor
Kuwait is in mourning following the death of Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah at the age of 86, just over three years after assuming power in the US-allied Gulf oil producer. The cause of his death has not been disclosed, but he was admitted to the hospital last month due to an emergency health problem. Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, who has been Kuwait’s de facto ruler since 2021, was named as Sheikh Nawaf’s successor.
World leaders paid tribute to Sheikh Nawaf, with US President Joe Biden describing him as a “valued partner and true friend of the United States.” The United States pledged to continue strengthening ties with Kuwait. Sheikh Nawaf became emir in September 2020 after the death of his brother, Sheikh Sabah, who had ruled for more than a decade.
Sheikh Nawaf was known as a consensus builder, although his reign saw an intense standoff between the government and elected parliament, hindering key structural reforms. Recent months witnessed a return to consensus between the government and parliament. Kuwait, holding the world’s seventh-largest oil reserves, is bordered by Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and lies across the Gulf from Iran.
Analysts note that Sheikh Nawaf and Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal appeared to align Kuwait more closely with regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia. The choice of the new emir’s crown prince and premier will be closely watched as a younger generation of Kuwait’s ruling family vies for position.
Factional struggles within the Al Sabah family have historically played out in parliament, with contenders building political capital. Despite attempts by Sheikh Nawaf to secure domestic detente, the stalemate persisted.
The international community, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, paid respects to Sheikh Nawaf’s dedication to serving his country. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed sadness, remembering Sheikh Nawaf as a great friend of the United Kingdom.
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