ABU DHABI — The Kuwaiti government has been thrown into a crisis
by a vacuum of power at the top.
Both
Emir Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah and Crown Prince Saad Al Abdullah Al Salem Al
Sabah were said to no longer function due to illness.
The government has also been rocked by unprecedented criticism as well as
demands to revise the mechanism for leadership succession, Middle East Newsline reported. So far, the
government has refused to respond to questions by Kuwait's parliament,
regarded as one of the most independent in the Middle East.
Kuwaiti sources said Saad, 75, was expected to relinquish his position
over the next few days. They said Saad was expected to be replaced by
76-year-old Prime Minister Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.
On Oct. 19, Saad returned from nearly two months of medical treatment in
London. The sources asserted that Saad was too ill to resume his duties as
crown prince.
"We should admit that Sheik Saad's state of health does not enable him
to perform the minimum tasks of his position," Kuwaiti analyst Ayed Al Manna
said.
On Oct. 9, the 76-year-old emir, who suffered a stroke in 2001, pledged
to take "decisive action" regarding the ruling family. He did not elaborate.
Under the constitution, the emir appoints the crown prince and the prime
minister in a decision ratified by parliament. If parliament refuses the
nominee, the emir could recommend three candidates, one of whom must be
selected by the deputies.
Kuwait's prime minister has been regarded as the most powerful man in
the sheikdom. Since 2001, Sabah has been effectively running Kuwait amid the
illness of both the emir and crown prince.
The ruling family appears divided over whether to appoint Sabah as the
next crown prince. Kuwait National Guard commander Salem Al Ali Al Sabah,
asserting that Kuwait has been racked by chaos and corruption under Sabah,
has called for a three-member committee to assist the emir and crown prince.
Many in parliament agree with Salem and blame the prime minister for
much of the corruption. On Oct. 18, the government as well as the emir —
faced with the prospect of confronting the leadership issue — boycotted the
opening session of parliament.
"This shows this will be a term of crises," parliamentarian Faisal Al
Muslim said.
The Kuwaiti prime minister has quietly sought to bolster his support,
particularly from the military. Parliamentarians have accused Sabah of
bribing their colleagues and tolerating kickbacks in government tenders,
including those for weapons procurement.
"Many tenders are illegally given to specific companies,"
parliamentarian Nasser Al Sane said. "Then, their commissions get withheld."
