Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, the 86-year-old Emir of Kuwait, passed away. The reports were verified by the minister of his emiri court, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah al-Sabah.
The reason of death was not disclosed by officials, but they did declare the beginning of a 40-day formal mourning period and the three-day shutdown of administrative offices.
“With great sadness and sorrow, we – the Kuwaiti people, the Arab and Islamic nations, and the friendly peoples of the world – mourn the late His Highness the emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, who passed away to his Lord today,” al-Sabah announced in part of a statement.
Sheikh Meshaal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, 83, the crown prince of Kuwait and his half-brother, was subsequently appointed as the country’s next emir. The replacement was confirmed by an announcement from Issa Al-Kandari, the state minister for cabinet affairs and deputy prime minister.
Following the passing of his half-brother, Sheikh Nawaf took the oath of office in September 2020. Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah passed away in the United States in the same year while undergoing treatment.
“Kuwait is having a really gloomy day. The sheikh has only benefited the nation,” a history professor at Kuwait University, said adding that that his legacy will be warmly honored. “Despite being the third shortest in Kuwaiti history, his era is noteworthy.”
Before coming to power, Sheikh Nawaf held important positions for many years. He was acting as the defense minister in 1990 when Iraqi soldiers attacked the oil-rich kingdom. He was named heir apparent 16 years later. He dealt with issues regarding armed organizations while serving as interior minister as well.
He was well-liked by the al-Sabah family, who ruled, and was known for his humility and low profile.
Through a succession of amnesties, prisoner releases, and citizenship awards, Sheikh Nawaf has overseen the greatest reunification in Kuwaiti history. Additionally, he invited all parties to the parliament welcoming all opinions and opened it up to the opposition. Additionally, he expressed openness to eliminating the government’s authority to choose the house speaker. The action had a significant impact on people’s positions and public perception.
Sheikh Nawaf; From A Princess to a Savior
Sheikh Nawaf, who was born in 1937, was the 5th child of Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, who ruled Kuwait for thirty years ending in1950. He completed his education in Kuwait, but did not pursue university studies. At the age of 25, he began a political life as the governor of Hawalli.
Sheikh Nawaf has been with emirs in all of their political choices and administration procedures. He entered with the intention of advancing Kuwait while preserving what it already has. In Kuwait, transition has gone smoothly. It is governed by a constitution, and in the days to come, this process will take place.
Back in 2020, Sheikh Nawaf took over as emir and had to navigate the Kuwaiti economy through a difficult period. International agencies downgraded the country’s credit standing in 2020 as a result of the conditions brought on by a decline in the price of oil.
In his inaugural speech, he recognized the “serious” obstacles at the moment. In an effort to help the state deal with the COVID-19 epidemic, the administration spent extensively, increasing the state debt by two times in just 18 months. But he didn’t really alter all that much.
Sheikh Nawaf was hospitalized last month due to an undisclosed ailment, according to KUNA, the official news agency. The small, oil-rich country has been awaiting updates on his well-being in the meanwhile.
During his reign, Sheikh Nawaf frequently delegated authority to his deputy while having to deal with health checks and other problems. He had visited the US in March 2021, according to earlier reports from state-run media, for unidentified medical examinations.
