Kuwait’s new emir demands state accountability in his first speech. In his first statement as emir since his predecessor’s death last week, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah of Kuwait criticized the government and parliament on Wednesday for actions he said had harmed the country’s interests as an ally of the United States.
Sheikh Meshal, 83, objected to pardons given by his predecessor and denounced choices to assign people to positions that were “not consistent with the simplest rules of justice and fairness.”.
The pardons the new emir took issue with were not stated. His predecessor pardoned several people, including opponents and dissidents, as well as individuals who had been convicted of espionage for Hezbollah, a Shi’ite Muslim organization in Lebanon and Iran.
He emphasized the significance of government supervision and impartial responsibility, saying, “Today, as we are going through a delicate historical stage, we must review our current reality in all its aspects, especially the security, economic, and living aspects.”
He noted in the address that he was unusually critical of the government and parliamentarians for a new emir, saying that even if he disagreed with some of the previous emir’s actions, he had abided by them out of loyalty.
Sheik Meshal presided over daily affairs for most of his half-brother Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah’s reign. He passed away on Saturday at the age of 86 from illness.
Chief Executive of Reconnaissance Research Abdulaziz Al-Anjeri remarked, “The emir’s speech underscored a heightened focus on strengthening governance and enhancing accountability, reflecting a deep commitment to combating corruption in the pursuit of effective governance.”
“By directly criticizing the legislative and executive branches, he was willing to implement drastic yet necessary reforms.”
Kuwait is an OPEC member and has the seventh-largest oil reserves in the world. It borders Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran. It is a close ally of the US, which stationed forces there after freeing Kuwait from Iraqi domination in 1991.
Sheikh Meshal stated Kuwait will uphold its obligations in the Gulf, the region, and the international arena.
According to Kuwaiti researcher Bader Al Saif, the emir’s speech demonstrated his intention to uphold current foreign policy and his efforts to eradicate corruption in the public sector.
However, he added, it also implied that the administration and parliament had not adequately addressed the country’s top concerns to fulfill the populace’s needs, security, and economy.
According to Al Saif, if the existing government offered its resignation as is customary when a new emir takes office, that might result in significant changes in the future administration.
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