Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, who passed away on Saturday, left an indelible mark on political life in his country in spite of the short time he spent as ruler and the health setbacks he suffered.
On November 16, 2021, his poor health led him to hand over many of his duties to his brother, Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad.
Sheikh Nawaf became ruler on September 29, 2020, succeeding Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad.
During his short time as ruler, he occupied himself with major local issues. He also ascended the throne during the coronavirus pandemic during which his directives to concerned agencies helped limit the impact of the disease on the country.
He believed in the importance of consolidating values and the unity of the Kuwaiti people because Kuwait derives its strength from the unity of its citizens.
16th ruler of Kuwait
Sheikh Nawaf became ruler after 58 years of political work that he started as governor of Hawalli, then minister of interior, and later minister of defense. He would later be named minister of social affairs and labor. He became deputy chief of the Kuwait National Guard, then deputy prime minister and reappointed as minister of interior.
He was named crown prince in 2006 and worked closely with his brother Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.
Sheikh Nawaf was born in Kuwait City on June 25, 1937. He was the sixth son of Kuwait’s tenth ruler Sheikh Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, who ruled from 1921 to 1950.
He is the step-brother of two future rulers: Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad, who ruled from 1977 to 2006, and Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad, who ruled from 2006 to 2020.
He earned his early education at various schools in Kuwait. He began his political career after Kuwait’s independence in the 1960s.
Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem named him governor of Hawalli in 1961, a post he held for 16 years.
He was named interior minister on March 19, 1978. He served in that post for ten years and is considered the real founder of the modern Ministry of Interior in Kuwait and its various departments.
He served as interior minister a second time from 2003 to 2006.
After completing his first stint as interior minister in 1988, he became minister of defense. He held the post until 1991. During that time, Kuwait was invaded by neighboring Iraq.
After the liberation of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf was named minister of social affairs and labor in April 1991. He became deputy chief of the National Guard in 1994 and was again named interior minister in 2003.
He became crown prince in 2006 when Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed ascended the throne.
Sheikh Nawaf was married to Sharifa Suleiman al-Jassem and had five children.
Unity
During his first speech when he became emir, Sheikh Nawaf called on citizens to show unity in confronting challenges facing the country. He vowed to work towards the prosperity, stability and security of the nation.
“Kuwait had endured serious challenges and harsh times during its long history,” he remarked. “We succeeded in overcoming them through cooperation and managed to lead Kuwait to safety.”
“Our dear nation is today facing critical conditions and dangerous challenges that can only be overcome through unity,” he added.
“We are proud of our constitution and democratic path. We are proud that Kuwait is a state of law and institutions,” he stressed.
Fighting corruption
During an August 23, 2020, speech, he focused on the fight against corruption, most notably after probes showed that members of the ruling family were involved in corruption.
Sheikh Nawaf said he would lift the cover off members of the family that were complicit.
“Fighting corruption is not a choice, but a constitutional duty, moral responsibility and national project,” he declared at the time.
“No one is above the law he said,” referring to questions over whether the members of the ruling family will be held to account.
