Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf dies at 86

Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, the 86-year-old Emir of Kuwait, passed away.

“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,” Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah al-Sabah, the minister of his emiri court, said in a statement aired on state television on Saturday.

The cause of death was not disclosed by the authorities, but they did declare the beginning of a 40-day official mourning period and the three-day closure of government offices.

Sheikh Meshaal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, 83, the crown prince of Kuwait and his half-brother, was subsequently proclaimed the new emir, according to a statement from Issa Al-Kandari, the deputy prime minister and minister of state for cabinet affairs.

Following the passing of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, in the United States at the age of 91, Sheikh Nawaf took the oath of office in September 2020.

“This is a very sad day for Kuwait. The sheikh has only done good for the country. His legacy will be remembered fondly,” Bader al-Saif, a history professor at Kuwait University, told Al Jazeera. “His era is notable even though it is the third shortest in Kuwaiti history.”

Before coming to power, Sheikh Nawaf held important positions for many years. He was serving as the defence minister in 1990 when Iraqi troops invaded the oil-rich emirate, and he was named heir apparent in 2006. He dealt with challenges from armed groups while serving as interior minister as well.

He was well-liked by the al-Sabah family, who ruled, and was known for his modesty and low profile.

“He’s known as the emir of pardons,” al-Saif said.

“He has led the largest reconciliation in modern Kuwaiti history with a series of amnesties, release of prisoners, and citizenships. He has also opened up to the opposition and opened the parliament again to all voices, and opened up to taking away from the government’s role voting for the speaker of the house, which was really crucial to the positionality of the people and the popular opinion.”

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