With the passing of Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Kuwait bids farewell to its 16th ruler, marking the end of a 267-year era since the first leader of the Al-Sabah family assumed power in 1756.
The Kuwaiti cabinet Saturday named Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah as Emir, to succeed the late ruler, pursuant to the provisions of the Kuwaiti constitution.
Sheikh Sabah bin Jaber Al Sabah, born at the beginning of the 18th century, was the first ruler of the Al-Sabah family in Kuwait.
He assumed leadership of the Gulf nation following a tribal alliance from 1756 to 1776.
Sheikh Sabah was the inaugural leader of Kuwait, marking the commencement of the political history of the Al Sabah dynasty, which has held the leadership of Kuwait since 1756.
The leadership continued through his descendants, including Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah “the Great” (the seventh ruler, reigning from 1896 to 1915), who is regarded as the true founder of the state.
Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Al Sabah, the eleventh ruler of Kuwait, assumed the reins of power on February 25, 1950, until his passing on November 24, 1965.
On June 19, 1961, Kuwait gained its independence from Britain, and Sheikh Abdullah, the man of independence, signed the Declaration of Independence with the British Government Chief Political Resident in the Arabian Gulf, Sir George Middleton, on behalf of the Kuwaiti government.
Sheikh Abdullah, a champion of independence, established the parliamentary system for the state.
During his tenure, the constitution was ratified, and the current constitution was issued after independence on November 11, 1962.
It officially came into effect on January 29, 1963.
Kuwait had issued the first written constitution and established a consultative council in 1921.
The Gulf country formed an elected legislative council in 1938.
The Kuwaiti constitution currently outlines the candidates eligible for the Emirship, adhering to a 1921 document initiated by locals after the country’s ninth ruler.
According to the constitution’s Article 4 and the Succession Law’s Article 6, the Emir must be from the lineage of Mubarak Al-Sabah.
In case of a vacancy, the Crown Prince is declared Emir.
Constitution Article 60 mandates the Emir to swear allegiance to respecting the constitution, safeguarding people’s freedoms, interests, and national independence.
