Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah

His Highness Sheikh
Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah
الشيخ الدكتور محمد صباح السالم الصباح
Al-Sabah in 2011
10th Prime Minister of Kuwait
In office
17 January 2024 – 15 May 2024
MonarchMishal Al Ahmad
Preceded byAhmad Al Nawaf
Succeeded byAhmad Al Abdullah
Deputy Prime Minister of Kuwait
In office
9 February 2006 – 18 October 2011
Prime MinisterNasser Al Sabah
Preceded bySabah Al Ahmad
Succeeded byJaber Al-Mubarak
3rd Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
14 July 2003 – 18 October 2011
Prime MinisterSabah Al Ahmed
Nasser Al Sabah
Preceded bySabah Al Ahmad
Succeeded bySabah Al-Khalid
Ambassador of Kuwait to the United States
In office
15 January 1993 – 2003
Prime MinisterSaad Al Sabah
Preceded bySaud Nasser Al-Saud
Succeeded bySalem Abdullah Al-Jaber
Personal details
Born (1955-10-10) 10 October 1955 (age 69)
Kuwait City, Kuwait[citation needed]
RelationsSalem (brother)
Ali (brother)
ParentSabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah (father)
EducationClaremont McKenna College (BA)
Harvard University (PhD)

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah (Arabic: الشيخ الدكتور محمد صباح السالم الصباح, romanized: ash-Shaykh ad-Doctor Muḥammad Sabāh as-Sālim as-Sabāh; born 10 October 1955) is a senior member of the Kuwaiti royal family and has held various key positions as a politician, economist, and diplomat. He served as the Prime Minister of Kuwait from 17 January 2024 to 15 May 2024.[1][2][3] Prior to his premiership, he was the Deputy Prime Minister of Kuwait, contributing significantly to the nation’s governance and international relations.

Early life and education

Born on 10 October 1955,[4] Al-Sabah is a son of Sheikh Sabah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah, the former Amir of Kuwait, and Nouriya Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the sister of the present Amir. His older brother is Salem Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who served as both Minister of Defense and Interior. Mohammed Sabah Al Sabah obtained his bachelor's degree in economics from Claremont McKenna College[4] and went on to earn both a master's degree and a PhD in economics and Middle Eastern studies from Harvard University.[4]

Career

Government service

Appointed in 1993 as the ambassador of Kuwait to the United States, he served until 14 February 2001, at which point he became the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He held the position of Minister of Finance from January 2003 until July 2003.[5] On 11 February 2006, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister, continuing also as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

He resigned from office on 18 October 2011 in protest of alleged corruption in Kuwait's government.[6] He subsequently pursued academic interests as a visiting fellow at Oxford University.[4][1]

Prime minister

On January 4, 2024, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, appointed Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah as the Prime Minister designate of Kuwait.[7] He was sworn into office on the 17 of January 2024, marking the first time in 20 years that a descendant of the Banu Salim branch of the Kuwaiti ruling family assumed this position.[7] Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah was appointed as the prime minister-designate on 15 April 2024.[3] His assumption of office is contingent upon the formation of his cabinet and his oath-taking before the National Assembly. Following this appointment, Sheikh Mohammed has been serving as the acting prime minister in a caretaker capacity.[2]

Personal life

Al-Sabah is married to Feryal Duaij Al Salman Al Sabah and has four children.[4]

Councils, committees and memberships

Kuwait

  • Chairman of the board of directors of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (2003–2011)
  • Member of the Supreme Council of the Environment Public Authority (2003–2011)
  • Member of the National Security Council (2003–2011)
  • Member of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (2006–2011)
  • Member of the Kuwait National Nuclear Energy Committee (2009–2011)
  • Acting Chairman of the Civil Service Commission (2003–2011)[citation needed]
  • Board Advisor Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development [8]

Honours and awards

References

  1. ^ a b Naar, Ismaeel (17 January 2024). "Kuwaiti PM forms new government with 13 ministers". The National. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b "كونا : Kuwait caretaker PM congratulates Poland on national day - الديوان الأميري - 03/05/2024". www.kuna.net.kw. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Kuwait names Ahmad Abdullah al-Ahmad al-Sabah as prime minister". Reuters. 15 April 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Biography" (PDF). Official website. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  5. ^ "وزارة المالية – دولة الكويت". mof.gov.kw. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  6. ^ Kenneth Katzman (30 August 2013). "Kuwait: Security, Reform, and U.S. Policy" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  7. ^ a b Maha, Al Danan (4 January 2024). "Kuwait emir appoints Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah as prime minister". Reuters.
  8. ^ "Board of advisors". www.cirsd.org. Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah awarded Robert and JoAnn Bendetson Public Diplomacy Award". KUNA. 3 March 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.