Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
Kuwait’s ruling emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, aged 86, passed away, leaving the nation and the world in mourning. The cause of his death remains undisclosed. The world’s oldest crown prince, Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber, now 83, is set to succeed as Kuwait’s ruler.
The late emir’s health had been a subject of concern since late November when he was hospitalized for an unspecified illness. Previously, he had undergone medical checks in the United States in March 2021. In a nation bordered by Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the health of Kuwait’s leaders is a delicate matter, often entangled in internal power struggles.
Truth Live News reports that following the 2020 death of his predecessor, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Sheikh Nawaf assumed the role of emir. While not a prominent figure in government, Sheikh Nawaf’s tenure focused on domestic issues, addressing political disputes and overhauling Kuwait’s welfare system. Despite the nation’s vast oil wealth, fiscal challenges persisted, leading to an amnesty decree in 2021, pardoning dissidents and defusing a government standoff.
Notably, Kuwait, with its perceived freest parliament in the Gulf, witnessed several parliamentary elections under Sheikh Nawaf’s rule. The restoration of ties among Gulf Cooperation Council states, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, eased regional tensions, enabling the late emir to concentrate on internal matters.
Kuwait, with a population of 4.2 million, boasts the world’s sixth-largest oil reserves. The legacy of Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, marked by diplomatic efforts and internal reforms, leaves a significant impact on a nation navigating political challenges and economic constraints.
