Nawaf Al-Ahmad…more than 60 years in serving Kuwait
The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who passed away this morning (Saturday), left a clear mark on the political life of the State of Kuwait, despite the short period he spent as Emir of the country, and the health conditions he went through, which forced him to delegate his brother and Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad to exercise some powers. The constitutional mandate assigned to him, on November 16, 2021, one year after he assumed the reins of power on September 29, 2020.
The Kuwaiti Council of Ministers called Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, Emir of the country, succeeding the late Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, on September 29, 2020, in his capacity as Crown Prince and in accordance with the provisions of the Kuwaiti Constitution and Article 4 of Law No. (4) of 1964 regarding the provisions of inheritance of the emirate, as he was known for. Of wisdom, chastity, sincerity, and dedication to everything that brings Kuwait’s elevation, interest, security, and prosperity,” according to the council’s statement.
Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad is distinguished by his keen interest in promoting virtues and values and believes in the importance of the unity and solidarity of the people of Kuwait (KUNA)
During the short period he spent as Emir of the country, local issues occupied the late Emir of Kuwait’s greatest interest, especially during the first year of his reign. Given his great interest in details related to citizens’ affairs, in addition to the emergency circumstances that the world witnessed resulting from the spread of the “emerging Corona” virus, which required directing the concerned authorities to exert their diligent efforts to limit its repercussions on the country.
On a personal level, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad is distinguished by his keen interest in promoting virtues and values and believes in the importance of unity and solidarity.
Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah while taking the constitutional oath in the National Assembly session (KUNA)
All the people of Kuwait, considering that the strength of Kuwait lies in the unity of its people, and that its progress and development depend on their solidarity, cohesion, unity, dedication and sincerity in their work.
The 16th ruler of Kuwait
Sheikh Nawaf’s coronation as Emir of the country came after about 58 years of political work during which he held several positions, which began with his appointment as Governor of Hawalli Governorate, then Minister of Interior, then Minister of Defense, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, then Deputy Chief of the National Guard, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.
For 14 years during his tenure as Crown Prince, Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad was close to his brother, the late Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in accordance with the Emiri order issued by the late Emir on February 7, 2006 recommending Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad for the position of Crown Prince.
The late Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the 16th ruler of the State of Kuwait, was born on 6/25/1937, in Fareej Al-Shuyoukh (currently the site of Al-Muthanna Complex) in Kuwait City. He is the sixth son of the tenth ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah (ruled Kuwait from 1921 – 1950), and he is the half-brother of two of Kuwait’s rulers: Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad (13th ruler of Kuwait, between 1977 – 2006) and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad. (The 15th ruler of Kuwait, between 2006 – 2020).
He lived and grew up in the House of Government, Dasman Palace, and received his education in various Kuwaiti schools, such as the Hamada, Sharq, and Al-Naqra Schools, then in the Eastern and Mubarakiya Schools, and continued his studies in various places in Kuwait.
He began his political work since the independence of Kuwait in the early sixties, when the late Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem appointed him on February 21, 1961 as Governor of Hawalli, for a period of 16 years, and he remained in this position until March 19, 1978, when he was appointed Minister of the Interior for ten years. Sheikh Nawaf is considered Al-Ahmad is the true founder of the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait in its modern form and its various departments. He assumed responsibility for the ministry over two terms. The first was from March 1978 to January 1988, and the second was from 2003 to February 2006. During his tenure at the Ministry of Interior, he modernized this security institution to meet the security challenges facing the country.
Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad also assumed the Ministry of Defense in 1988, until 1991. During his tenure in this position, the country witnessed the disaster of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait (August 2, 1990 – February 28, 1991).
Sheikh Nawaf taking the oath as Crown Prince (Photo from the Crown Prince’s Court website)
With the formation of the first government after the liberation of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf took over the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in April 1991, then became Deputy Chief of the National Guard in 1994, and returned to take over the Ministry of Interior portfolio again in 2003 until he became Crown Prince in 2006.
After Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad assumed the reins of power on January 29, 2006, succeeding Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who abdicated due to his health conditions, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad issued an Emiri order recommending Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad as Crown Prince, on February 7, 2006, and the Council pledged allegiance to him. Nation as Crown Prince on February 20, 2006.
Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad is married to Sharifa Suleiman Al-Jassem, and they have children: Sheikha, Faisal, Ahmed, Abdullah, and Salem.
Unity of the people
In his first speech after the new Emir of Kuwait was sworn in before the National Assembly (Parliament) as Emir of the country (on September 30, 2020), Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah called on his citizens to unite in facing the challenges facing the country, pledging to work for prosperity. And the stability and security of the state, and he said, “During its long history, Kuwait has been exposed to serious challenges and severe ordeals, which we succeeded in overcoming, cooperating together, and crossing the Kuwait ship to safety.”
He added: “Today, our dear country faces delicate circumstances and serious challenges, and there is no way to overcome them and escape their consequences except through unity of ranks and the concerted efforts of all of us, dedicated to working hard for the good and advancement of Kuwait and its loyal people.”
He said: “We affirm our pride in our constitution and our democratic approach, and we are proud of our Kuwait as a state of law and institutions, and our keenness to embody the one-family spirit with which our Kuwaiti society is known, and our commitment to our established principles of principle.”
Fight corruption
In his speech to citizens on August 23, 2020, he devoted it to talking about the issues that preoccupied the country, including the issue of corruption. Investigations showed the involvement of members of the ruling family in corruption files. In his speech, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad lifted the lid on family members proven to be involved in corruption cases.
He said: “Fighting corruption is not an option, but rather a legal duty, a constitutional entitlement, a moral responsibility, and a national project for which everyone shares responsibility,” adding: “For everyone who raises questions about holding members of the ruling family accountable, we affirm that they are part of the Kuwaiti people and the same laws apply to them. Whoever makes a mistake bears responsibility for his mistake, as no one is above the law,” stressing that “no one is above the law and there is no protection for the corrupt, whatever his name, capacity, or status.”
He said: “I call on our brothers in the government and the National Assembly to adopt effective measures and legislation to deter the corrupt and eliminate the manifestations and causes of corruption in all its forms.”
2023-12-16 11:28:56
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