Oman’s sultan issues new succession law

GULF NATION TO NAME CROWN PRINCE FOR THE FIRSTTIME

Oman’s sultan announced yesterday a constitutional shakeup that includes the appointment of a crown prince for the first time and new rules on how parliament will work, statemedia said.

A new basic law issued by Sultan Haitham Bin Tareq Al Said emphasises the state’s role in ensuring more rights and freedoms for citizens, most notably equality between men and women, welfare of children, disabled people and youth. It also stresses the compulsory basic education.

The basic law sets out mechanisms for the appointment of a crown prince and his duties. The report did not say who would become the new crown prince or provide other details.

Independence of judiciary as basis for governance

It also sets the rule of lawand the independence of the judiciary as the basis for governance in the Gulf state.

A separate decree created a new law for the parliament — the bicameral Council of Oman. The published text says changes to conditions of membership and the council’s terms of reference have been made. Oman, which saw protests in 2011 over unemployment, corruption and political reform, does not have political parties or other forms of political representation.

Sultan Haitham has shaken up the government and state entities and moved to enact long- awaited fiscal reform since taking power, appointing finance and foreign affairs ministers and a central bank chairman — portfolios held by the late sultan.

Oman’s finances have been battered by low oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic. Rated sub- investment grade by allmajor credit rating agencies, it faces awidening deficit and large debt maturities in the next few years.

Evaluation of ministers

The new basic law creates a committee under the sultan to evaluate the performance of ministers and other officials, and provisions to support the state’s financial and administrative oversight body.

Sultan Haitham in October approved a medium- term fiscal plan to make government finances sustainable.

Devolution of power

Elana DeLozier, senior fellow at theWashington Institute, said the decision is a further devolution of the Sultan’s power. “It suggests a real move from the personalisation of powerwe saw in Oman for decades to a more institutionalised model where power is more broadly shared,” she said. DeLozier added the text of the newbasic law, which could be published next week, would help to know more or “begin to guess who might be the heir to the throne”.