In a solemn announcement from the royal court, Kuwait bid farewell to Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who passed away at the age of 86 on a Saturday, leaving behind a legacy that spanned less than three years as the head of the U.S.-allied Gulf oil producer.
The cause of his demise remains undisclosed, with reports stating that the emir faced an emergency health condition, leading to his admission to a hospital late last month.
Upon his ascendancy to the throne in September 2020, Sheikh Nawaf appointed Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, as the de facto ruler of Kuwait since 2021. This transition marked a pivotal moment when the frail emir delegated most of his duties to the designated successor.
Kuwait, in response to the emir’s passing, declared three days of official department closures and initiated a period of forty days of mourning. Leaders from around the globe expressed condolences to the Al Sabah family, the Kuwaiti people, and the successor of Sheikh Nawaf.
U.S. President Joe Biden lauded Sheikh Nawaf as a “true friend and valued partner of the United States,” pledging to “continue to strengthen the longstanding ties” between the two nations. The passing of Sheikh Nawaf follows in the footsteps of his brother, Sheikh Sabah, a figure who governed for over a decade and left an enduring impact on Kuwait’s foreign policy for more than fifty years.
Deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate demise of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. We convey our deepest condolences to the Royal family, the leadership and the people of Kuwait.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2023
Kuwait, strategically located across the Gulf from Iran with borders touching Saudi Arabia and Iraq, holds the seventh-largest oil reserves globally. Notably, it faced the invasion by Iraq in 1990, triggering the first Gulf War. The conflict concluded in 1991 with the liberation of Kuwait by the U.S. and its allies.
Since Sheikh Nawaf assumed power, he navigated foreign relations with neighboring countries, overseeing the formation of eight governments in Kuwait. While the constitution dictates that the crown prince becomes the emir by default, the official oath in parliament signifies the formal commencement of the new emir’s duties, allowing up to a year to choose an heir.
