Kuwait History & Government

Kuwait History & Government

History: The area that became Kuwait was controlled by the main regional powers in the Gulf, principally various dynasties based in Mesopotamia and Persia. The most influential of these were the Safavids, a Persian dynasty which moved into the region around 1500 and established a commercial empire along the eastern seaboard of the Arabian peninsula. Later on in the 16th century, the northeastern corner of the Arabian peninsula became part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. It remained so until the latter part of the 19th century when the Al-Sabah family, which now rules Kuwait, took control of local administration and steered the country into a semi-autonomous position. However, fearing that the Turks would try to reassert their control, the Kuwaitis made an agreement with the British allowing for British control of Kuwaiti foreign affairs in exchange for military protection. This danger passed with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I, although Kuwait remained a British protectorate until 1961, when the country was granted full independence.

Sheikh Abdullah assumed the position of head of state, adopting the title of Emir. The large revenues from oil production allowed independent Kuwait to build up its economic infrastructure and institute educational and social welfare programmes. Surrounded by three major Middle Eastern powers, the main threat to the country came from the renewal of Iraqi territorial claims over Kuwait which date back to Kuwaiti independence. Kuwait had been seriously threatened by Iraq in 1961, but Iraq was deterred by British military intervention. In 1990, no such assistance was available. Kuwait had given firm backing to the Iraqis during the Iran-Iraq war, lending some US$40-60 billion to Baghdad. Disputes over repayment and the exploitation of oilfields which straddle the (still disputed) border region between the two countries eventually led to the Iraqi invasion on 1 August, 1990.

The country which Sheikh Jaber and his entourage – who fled into exile in Saudi Arabia – left behind was rapidly incorporated into Iraq as its ‘19th province’ and then systematically looted. Nine months later the Kuwaitis recovered their country by virtue of a US-led, UN-backed multinational military force which drove the Iraqis out. After a period of euphoria, the Kuwaitis were confronted with the aftermath of the war and the need to address a number of difficult questions. Adequate funds were available to finance the enormous task of reconstruction. The future security of the country was dealt with by the signing of defence and security pacts with the USA, the UK and Kuwait’s Gulf allies. Since then, Iraq’s persistently belligerent attitude towards Kuwait, reflected both diplomatically and through occasional border incursions, has served only to reinforce Kuwaiti caution towards its northern neighbour. However, it was one of the first countries to join Operation Iraqi Freedom following the US-led war against Iraq, and provided aid and support during Iraq's (ongoing) process of reconstruction.

On the domestic front, the Al-Sabah family faced an awkward problem after the 1991 liberation: the future of the government and their role in it. While in exile, the Emir had made a commitment to restore the 1962 constitution, which provides for the elections of a National Assembly (Majlis) and greatly limits the power of the ruling family. The Assembly had been suspended in 1976 by the Emir on the grounds that it was ‘not acting in the best interests of the state’; it was recalled in 1981 and suspended again in 1986. When the Emir returned to Kuwait in March 1991, he immediately declared a three-month period of martial law. However, in the face of concerted domestic and international pressure, he announced that elections to the Assembly would be held in October 1992.

The three elections held since then have seen majorities secured by opponents of the Emir, then supporters and at the most recent poll in July 1999, by the opposition. The outcome has little effect on policy-making, as the Majlis is still confined to a strictly consultative role, but it has proved to be a lively forum and a vital channel for popular sentiment. In 1999, it was closed down by the Emir for a third time but reopened shortly afterwards. Since then, it has clashed several times with the Emir and the Cabinet (which is still dominated by the al-Sabah family) over misuse of state funds and poor management of the all-important oil industry. Underlying these disputes is the growing impression that the ageing and increasingly infirm al-Sabah clan is no longer capable of running the country. However, they continue to dominate Kuwaiti policies.

Government: The Emir, who is selected by and from members of the ruling Al-Sabah family, holds exclusive executive power. The Emir appoints a prime minister and a Cabinet of Ministers. A unicameral National Assembly (Majlis al-Umma) with 50 elected members has a consultative role and prepares legislation (although the Emir has the power of veto). The Majlis serves a four-year term. The election in 2003 was extremely significant, since it was the first to permit adult women to vote and stand for official positions. Political parties are banned.