NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 16 — Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, The Emir of Kuwait, has died aged 86 after three years in office.
State news agency KUNA, released the official statement announcing the ruler’s death on Saturday.
KUNA reported the ruler’s hospital admission in November. Kuwait described the condition of the 86-year-old’s as stable.
Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah took the oath of office in September 2020, following the passing of Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who had ruled Kuwait for 14 years before his demise at the age of 91.
The late Emir Al-Sabah’s death reverberated across the Middle East, where he was widely respected for his role in mediating conflicts in the volatile region. His diplomatic efforts earned him admiration and contributed to regional stability.
Kuwait named Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, aged 83, ruler in the wake of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah’s passing.
Sheikh Meshal has been Kuwait’s de facto ruler since 2021 due to the Emir’s declining health.
Kuwait, a Gulf Arab nation with over 4.2 million residents, is home to the world’s sixth-largest oil reserves.
The global community expressed condolences to the people of Kuwait, recognizing the legacy of Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah and the pivotal role he played in regional diplomacy.
