Kuwait Mourns Emir Sheikh Nawaf’s Death, Royal Court Releases Statement

The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, has passed away at the age of 86 after three years in power. The royal court announced the ruler’s demise on Saturday in a statement aired on Kuwaiti state television.

Two years ago, Sheikh Nawaf handed over some constitutional powers to Sheikh Mishal Al Sabah, 83, his half-brother and the current crown prince. It appears much attention shall now be focused on whether a younger generation is brought in by the family.

Emir’s Health A Matter Of Concern During His Term

State television cut its regular programming and switched to a broadcast of Quran verses before the announcement of the Emir’s death. Given his age, Sheikh Nawaf’s health has commonly been a matter of concern during his term.

In 2021, the ruler travelled to the United States for medical checkups. He got admitted to hospital in late November “due to an emergency health problem”, but was later reported to be in a stable condition, a statement from the royal court noted.

“The health condition of His Highness … is stable and he is taking necessary medication.” Released hours after Sheikh Nawaf was taken to hospital, the statement carried by the state-run Kuna news agency did not elaborate on the health problems facing the Emir.

Born in 1937, the ruler was the fifth son of Sheikh Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Kuwait’s late ruler from 1921 to 1950. Sheikh Nawaf started his political career at the age of 25 as governor of Hawalli province. He remained in the position until 1978.

Sheikh Nawaf Steered The Economy Through A Crisis

Sheikh Nawaf has also served as the interior and defence minister of the oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country. He was named crown prince in 2006 and took over as Emir when his another half-brother Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah died in 2020 at the age of 91.

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The ruler had to steer the economy through a crisis triggered by a drop in oil prices in 2020. His term has been marked by political disputes between the appointed government and elected parliament over the past 3 years. Kuwaitis went to the polls three times under his rule.