2011 Kuwaiti protests
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Kuwaiti protests are an ongoing series of demonstrations for government reforms in the Persian Gulf
emirate
of Kuwait
. On 28 November 2011, the government of Kuwait resigned in response to the protests, making Kuwait one of several countries affected by the Arab Spring
to experience major governmental changes due to popular unrest.
, the emir of Kuwait, gave every Kuwaiti citizen 1,000 dinars
and a free food grant on 18 January 2011, officially to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Kuwait's liberation from occupying Iraqi forces during the First Gulf War, as well as the 50th anniversary of the state's independence. But the grant was not extended to the stateless Bedouins living in Kuwait. Dozens demonstrated in Kuwait City
on 19 February against their supposed second-class status. Opposition leaders called for further protests in March to pressure Prime Minister Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah to resign.
In June, hundreds of Kuwaitis marched in an anti-government protest, calling for the resignation of the prime minister. A 10-year old Egyptian boy named Bassem was expelled from education in the country for asking in class, "Why didn't you have a revolution in your country?" Accused of inciting a revolution, the expulsion sparked an outcry, resulting in his reinstatement later that month. Soon thereafter, reports surfaced of a crisis growing in the country as a rebellious parliament stepped up pressure on the ruling family over allegations of mismanagement of public funds, corruption and inefficiency.
On 21 September, several thousand people marched in Kuwait City
. Estimates of the number of ralliers ranged dramatically, from 5,000 at the low end to 70,000 at the high end. Small incidents continued after that, and in October, the oil industry went on strike as well as over three thousand customs workers, and on 20 October, there was another very large demonstration in the capital. In response, the Prime Minister denounced the protests as "going too far" and threatened a security crackdown. The opposition group in Parliament formed a committee for constitutional reforms.
On the night of 16 November, demonstrators and several opposition MPs
stormed the National Assembly
, briefly occupying it while singing and shouting slogans calling for Prime Minister Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah to step down. They left after several minutes to rally in the adjacent Al-Erada Square
, although riot police attacked several protesters with nightsticks when a smaller group split off and tried to charge the prime minister's residence. Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
convened an emergency Cabinet meeting on 17 November to discuss the event, which he denounced as "an unprecedented step on the path to anarchy and lawlessness" and blamed on "preplanned sabotage" by "rioters". The Kuwaiti opposition responded by intimating the royal family sought to make Kuwait into "a police state". Opposition lawmakers vowed to intensify protests "regardless of the price".
The prime minister and his cabinet submitted their resignation on 28 November ahead of a mass rally calling for their departure from power. The emir accepted the resignation and is expected to name a new prime minister within days, though Nasser will serve until the formation of a new government.
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
emirate
Emirate
An emirate is a political territory that is ruled by a dynastic Muslim monarch styled emir.-Etymology:Etymologically emirate or amirate is the quality, dignity, office or territorial competence of any emir ....
of Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
. On 28 November 2011, the government of Kuwait resigned in response to the protests, making Kuwait one of several countries affected by the Arab Spring
Arab Spring
The Arab Spring , otherwise known as the Arab Awakening, is a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world that began on Saturday, 18 December 2010...
to experience major governmental changes due to popular unrest.
Timeline
Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-SabahSabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is the Emir of Kuwait. Sheikh Sabah was sworn in on January 29, 2006 after confirmation by the National Assembly of Kuwait. He is the fourth son of Emir Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Sheikh Sabah is the head of the ruling Al-Sabah family...
, the emir of Kuwait, gave every Kuwaiti citizen 1,000 dinars
Kuwaiti dinar
The dinar is the currency of Kuwait. It is sub-divided into 1000 fils. It is the highest-valued currency unit in the world.-History:...
and a free food grant on 18 January 2011, officially to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Kuwait's liberation from occupying Iraqi forces during the First Gulf War, as well as the 50th anniversary of the state's independence. But the grant was not extended to the stateless Bedouins living in Kuwait. Dozens demonstrated in Kuwait City
Kuwait City
-Suburbs:Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:Al-Salam ""السلام"" -Economy:...
on 19 February against their supposed second-class status. Opposition leaders called for further protests in March to pressure Prime Minister Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah to resign.
In June, hundreds of Kuwaitis marched in an anti-government protest, calling for the resignation of the prime minister. A 10-year old Egyptian boy named Bassem was expelled from education in the country for asking in class, "Why didn't you have a revolution in your country?" Accused of inciting a revolution, the expulsion sparked an outcry, resulting in his reinstatement later that month. Soon thereafter, reports surfaced of a crisis growing in the country as a rebellious parliament stepped up pressure on the ruling family over allegations of mismanagement of public funds, corruption and inefficiency.
On 21 September, several thousand people marched in Kuwait City
Kuwait City
-Suburbs:Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:Al-Salam ""السلام"" -Economy:...
. Estimates of the number of ralliers ranged dramatically, from 5,000 at the low end to 70,000 at the high end. Small incidents continued after that, and in October, the oil industry went on strike as well as over three thousand customs workers, and on 20 October, there was another very large demonstration in the capital. In response, the Prime Minister denounced the protests as "going too far" and threatened a security crackdown. The opposition group in Parliament formed a committee for constitutional reforms.
On the night of 16 November, demonstrators and several opposition MPs
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
stormed the National Assembly
National Assembly of Kuwait
The National Assembly of Kuwait, known as the Majlis Al-Umma , is the legislature of Kuwait. The current speaker of the Assembly is Jassem Al-Kharafi. The Emir unconstitutionally dissolved the National Assembly in 1986 and restored it after the Gulf War in 1992...
, briefly occupying it while singing and shouting slogans calling for Prime Minister Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah to step down. They left after several minutes to rally in the adjacent Al-Erada Square
Al-Erada Square
Al-Erada Square is a public gathering square in Kuwait City, Kuwait located in front of the National Assembly. It is notable for being the location of Arab spring protests in Kuwait. Among other events, it was the site of assembly of protesters who entered parliament calling for the resignation...
, although riot police attacked several protesters with nightsticks when a smaller group split off and tried to charge the prime minister's residence. Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is the Emir of Kuwait. Sheikh Sabah was sworn in on January 29, 2006 after confirmation by the National Assembly of Kuwait. He is the fourth son of Emir Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Sheikh Sabah is the head of the ruling Al-Sabah family...
convened an emergency Cabinet meeting on 17 November to discuss the event, which he denounced as "an unprecedented step on the path to anarchy and lawlessness" and blamed on "preplanned sabotage" by "rioters". The Kuwaiti opposition responded by intimating the royal family sought to make Kuwait into "a police state". Opposition lawmakers vowed to intensify protests "regardless of the price".
The prime minister and his cabinet submitted their resignation on 28 November ahead of a mass rally calling for their departure from power. The emir accepted the resignation and is expected to name a new prime minister within days, though Nasser will serve until the formation of a new government.