In a solemn announcement, Kuwaiti state TV reported the passing of Kuwait’s leader, Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, at the age of 86.
Sheikh Nawaf had served as the Emir of the oil-rich nation for the past three years, succeeding his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah.
Sheikh Nawaf’s successor is the 83-year-old Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, declared by the nation. In honour of the late leader, the nation has declared 40 days of mourning, and government offices are set to close for three days.
“With great sadness and sorrow, we mourn… the death of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah,” stated a message broadcast on state TV.
Born in 1937, Sheikh Nawaf played a significant role in Kuwaiti politics, assuming the position of crown prince in 2006 and becoming emir in 2020. Notably, he served as defence minister during the Gulf War when Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait in 1990.
In contrast to his predecessor, who shaped the country’s foreign policy for five decades, Sheikh Nawaf’s time as ruler was relatively short. Despite the brevity of his reign, Kuwait, with a population of 4.8 million and the world’s sixth-largest known oil reserves, holds strategic importance as a major ally of the United States.
The emirate’s parliament, known for having significant powers in the Gulf region, often sees open criticism from opposition MPs towards the ruling Sabah family.
However, the family maintains control over key government and executive positions, with the emir possessing the authority to influence political decisions, override or dissolve the parliament, and call for elections.
After the announcement, interruptions in regular programming on TV channels reflect the solemn mood that has settled over Kuwait following Sheikh Nawaf’s passing.
