2011 Omani protests
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Omani protests were a series of protests in the Gulf
country of Oman
. They were a part of the revolutionary wave
popularly known as the Arab Spring
. It's the first protest to be ended among the Arab Spring.
Unlike other protests in the region, Oman’s demonstrators have emphasised their loyalty to their ruler, while voicing their dissatisfaction on corrupt officials. The sultan responded to most of the demands which focus largely on more jobs and higher minimum salaries for Omanis, in addition to more power for the legislative council and the removal of several corrupt ministers.
. The wage increase targets Omani workers in the private sector. Public sector Omani employees have received wage increases in the past, but the private sector was so far overlooked. The Government of Oman raised minimum wages for an estimated 150,000 private sector employees to $520 from $364 a month. As protests continued in Sohar the demands were still jobs and political reforms. The protesters also want more jobs, freedom of expression, less government control over the media, political reforms, better living conditions, an abolition of taxes and the trial of all ministers.
Protesters in Muscat also demanded cabinet ministers not serve more than four years.
In several other protests, Omanis also demanded the reduction of foreign workers in order to provide more jobs for Omani citizens by private companies.
On 26 February, nearly 500 protesters gathered around a shopping mall in the industrial city of Sohar
, 230 kilometres from the capital Muscat
. The protesters stopped traffic and shoppers around the mall premises. The shops in the area including the mall remained closed on 27 February as well.
On 27 February, protesters returned in Sohar for a second day, hurling stones at security forces who had cordoned them off. The Royal Oman Police
eventually used tear gas and rubber bullets to contain and disperse the protesters. According to witnesses, two protesters were killed.
On 28 February, protesters looted and burned a hypermarket in Sohar. The demonstrators also blocked the entrance to Sohar port, where 160,000 barrels of oil derived products are exported. On 1 March protests continued for a fourth day as crowds in Sohar congregated at the Globe Roundabout. Eventually, the Royal Omani Army
forces, including tanks, peacefully dispersed protesters blocking the Sohar port and cleared them from the main coastal highway linking Muscat to Sohar. The troops later pulled back, though five armored vehicles continued to watch the square. The Globe Roundabout had been the site of up to 2,000 demonstrators over the past three days. About 50 protesters held a sit-in
as well outside the Consultative Assembly of Oman
to demand political reform and an end to corruption. The group later grew to over 400 people. Protesters also continued to demand the Consultative Assembly be turned into a "real parliament." The protests were reported to be "peaceful, well-organised and very disciplined." Tents had been set up with separate accommodations for men and women. Placards with protest slogans had also been translated into English, French and German for the international media.
After reports of multiple deaths, the minister of health of Oman claimed only one person had been killed and 20 wounded.
A Facebook entitled "March 2 Uprising for Dignity and Freedom" called for further protests in all parts of Oman, beginning on 2 March, and it attracted more than 2,300 users. However, protests only occurred at the Globe Roundabout in Sohar with a smaller crowd of 50 protesters who blockaded the area. Some people had organised community policing groups to prevent more damage. The army also issued a red alert to vacate the area or threatened action. The 'Sohar Citizen Committee' as its called has started giving out numbers of its core members to people who can call upon it in case of an emergency or riots attack.
On 5 March, protests in the country have spread to Haima
, a key oil region about 500 km (310.7 mi) southwest of the capital Muscat, with oil workers staging a sit-in and calling for more government investment in the area.
On 30 March, The Director of Public Prosecutions
issued a statement saying that complaints were filed by some citizens about acts of rioting, vandalism and breach of public order, and destruction of public and private properties and obstructing business transactions and easy movement of people on the streets. Based in these complains, Public Prosecution give orders to crackdowns by competent authorities. The Omani army stormed the Globe Roundabout
in Sohar clearing blockades and arrested a number of protesters ending a month-old sit-in.
The use of force to clear the roundabout occurred after protesters had blocked traffic at the roundabout for nearly five weeks. The protests at the roundabout also coincided with several acts of forced shut down of government and private sector offices and arson in Sohar and Ibri which finally forced the Omani authorities to take tougher action.
On 1 April, following Friday prayers, hundreds of protesters took to streets in Sohar demanding the release of people detained in the Public Prosecution crackdowns. More than 50 protesters were detained by security forces. The military has also stationed units around government offices and other key buildings in the city. Witnesses reported that when the army moved in to clear the demonstrators, they reacted violently - using knives, rocks and guns. The army responded by initially firing tear gas and bullets in the air. When the demonstrators continued to get violent, the army used rubber bullets which led to the death of one individual after he received a direct hit in the head.
Six others were also badly injured in the incident which had initially started off as a peaceful demonstration demanding the release of over 100 protesters detained by authorities three days before.
On 2 April, dozens of protesters staged a sit-in in Muscat, outside the chief prosecutor's office, to demand probes into alleged state abuses after clashes with security forces a day earlier.
On 5 April, the public prosecutor of Oman announced that it had apprehended individuals who were preparing petrol bombs and were gathering weapons. It stated that they probably planned to use these weapons in a demonstration in the northern industrial city of Sohar on Friday (8 April).
On 8 April, the public prosecutor's office release details and photographs of others who were arrested including one which went by the fancy name of 'Dragon Gang'. Following the arrest of these individuals the situation in Sohar calmed down.
On 8 April after rumours had abounded that a large number of protesters, including women and children, would take to the streets of Sohar after the Friday prayers, nothing untoward was reported by the local media. The Omani army took control of the city setting up multiple checkpoints and arresting a few wanted individuals. The situation in the port city has been calm since that day.
On 6 May, protesters returned to the streets in Salalah
after Friday prayers. The protesters called for democratic reform and an end to corruption. The activists and protesters have reiterated their demands for the sacked ministers to be investigated. This was the fourth consecutive Friday to be marked by protests in Salalah.
Police broke up a protest camp in Salalah on 12 May, arresting an unknown number of protesters, possibly over 100. Several dozen more protesters were attacked by baton-wielding gendarmes
and arrested in Salalah on 13 May and early 14 May while demanding jobs and higher pay. Omani newspaper Muscat Daily
reported that protesters clashed with the army on Salalah's central Al Nahda street following the first wave of arrests. The army fired into the air and also used tear gas to break up and disperse stone throwing crowds in Salalah.
' were sent from the state-owned Omantel
network during the nights precedeing the protests urging loyalists to attend.
There were also continuous reports, mostly from Twitter
, that supporters of the government drove around in motorcades of up to 200 cars around Muscat in massive motorcades.
In early March rallies in support of the Sultan continued to be staged.
On 26 February, the Sultan reshuffled the cabinet in response to recent protests. The 84-member Shura council
is elected by voters across 61 districts, but works in a purely advisory capacity and has no legislative powers. The cabinet reshuffle saw Mohammed bin Nasser al-Khasibi named commerce and industry minister, Hamoud bin Faisal al-Bousaidi as civil service minister and Madiha bint Ahmed bin Nasser as education minister. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Harthy, the outgoing civil service minister, was appointed to head the environment ministry, while Maqboul bin Ali bin Sultan will be the new transport minister and Mohsen bin Mohammed al-Sheikh becomes tourism minister. Protesters had called upon the Sultan to remove Maqbool Bin Ali Bin Sultan from the post of commerce minister as they viewed him as corrupt and inadequate for the task of running the ministry. The Sultan also announced benefits for the students of Higher College of Technology
. The students whose homes are 100 km away from the place of study, will be now given 90 Omani rial
allowances while those living at a less than 100-km distance would get 25-rial allowance. The Royal decree issued stated the reason for rise in these stipends as "to achieve further development and provide a decent living."
The Diwan of Royal Court, on the orders of the sultan, decided to set up an independent authority for consumer protection in the country. It has also been decided to study the possibility of establishing cooperative societies in the country which does not allow formation of any political parties, unions, etc. whatsoever. There are also confirmed plans to reduce the percentage contribution of civil servants in the Civil Employees Pension Fund from eight percent to seven percent of the monthly basic salary, adding to it 75 percent of the housing, electricity and water allowances.
On 28 February, Sultan Qaboos pledged to create 50,000 government jobs, provide a monthly benefit of $390 to the unemployed and ordered a committee to draft proposals for boosting the power of an elected council that advises him in state affairs. He also promised that a legislative council would be given more powers. On 5 March, Sultan Qaboos replaced two more ministers. Khaled bin Hilal bin Saud al-Busaidi replaced Sayed Ali bin Hmud al-Busaidi as a minister of the royal court and Sultan bin Mohammed al-Numani replaced General Ali bin Majid al-Maamari as minister in the sultan's office.
On 7 March, Sultan Qaboos issued eight royal decrees including, reshuffling once again the council of ministers and allowing for formation of a state audit committee. Royal Decree No 38/2011 abolished the Ministry of National Economy and states that a committee shall be formed by the Council of Ministers to manage the distribution of its prerogatives, allocations, assets and employees. The ministry had been targeted by protesters for being corrupt and inefficient. On 13 March, a royal decree was announced granting "legislative and regulatory powers" to the parliament, which had previously only been a consultative body. The next day he fired Lieutenant General Malek Bin Sulaiman Al Ma'amari
as Inspector General of the Police and Customs. On 15 March, he also issued further royal decrees to add a "cost of living allowance" to all military and security apparatus as well as all government units in Oman. The Sultan also give orders for raising the Social Insurance Pension by 100% for all the 51,442 persons registered at the Social Development Ministry.
The ruling council issued a statement that condemned the "sabotage" and added that peaceful demonstrations were within "the legal rights of citizens.".
Other responses includes creating of a second public university, establishing the first Islamic bank in the region and approving Marriage Fund utility.
Apolitical
The Muscat Securities Market
's main index fell 4.9 percent. Neighbouring United Arab Emirates
' two main stock markets in Dubai
and Abu Dhabi
also fell as the instability moved to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The Sohar Industrial Port Company said that the local port's functions were never disrupted by more than a few hours during periods of traffic probles caused by the protests.
Gulf Cooperation Council members agreed to provide Oman with an aid plan similar to the Marshall plan
, consisting of $10 billion aimed at upgrading housing and infrastructure over a period of 10 years. They also agreed that they would give more preference to GCC-member state nationals while hiring individuals.
States
India
– The Indian embassy in Muscat issued a notice to all citizens of India
currently residing in Oman (estimated at more than 300,000) to register themselves with the embassy. It also requested them to avoid taking part in any pro-government or anti-government rallies and steer clear of any kind of trouble.
Netherlands
Queen Beatrix had originally postponed a state visit to Oman amidst the crisis. The visit later went ahead but was downgraded to a private visit amidst several political parties expressing concern the royal could be seen as supportive of the sultan. Parliament will debate the matter on Tuesday.
United Kingdom
– The British embassy in Oman issued a notice to all British citizens in the country to avoid visiting Sohar as the situation in the city was tense.
United States of America – The U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley
told reporters the U.S. encouraged the government of Oman to show restraint and resolve differences through dialogue. "We have been in touch with the government and encouraged restraint and to resolve differences through dialogue. We are encouraged by the recent steps toward reform taken by the government of Oman, and we strongly encourage the government to continue to implement reforms that increase economic opportunity and move toward greater inclusion and participation in the political process."
NGOs
Amnesty International
has requested and urged the Omani government to show restraint while dealing with protesters.
Arab states of the Persian Gulf
"Arab states of the Persian Gulf" or "Arab Persian Gulf states" or "Persian Gulf Arab states" or "Arabic Persian Gulf states" or "Arab States of The Gulf", are terms that refer to the six Arab states of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, bordering the Persian Gulf....
country of Oman
Oman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
. They were a part of the revolutionary wave
Revolutionary wave
A revolutionary wave is a series of revolutions occurring in various locations in a similar time period. In many cases, an initial revolution inspires other "affiliate revolutions" with similar aims....
popularly known as 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...
. It's the first protest to be ended among the Arab Spring.
Unlike other protests in the region, Oman’s demonstrators have emphasised their loyalty to their ruler, while voicing their dissatisfaction on corrupt officials. The sultan responded to most of the demands which focus largely on more jobs and higher minimum salaries for Omanis, in addition to more power for the legislative council and the removal of several corrupt ministers.
Issues
Protesters demanded salary increases and lower costs of living. On 20 February 2011, protesters welcomed a move by the government to increase the minimum wageMinimum wage
A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
. The wage increase targets Omani workers in the private sector. Public sector Omani employees have received wage increases in the past, but the private sector was so far overlooked. The Government of Oman raised minimum wages for an estimated 150,000 private sector employees to $520 from $364 a month. As protests continued in Sohar the demands were still jobs and political reforms. The protesters also want more jobs, freedom of expression, less government control over the media, political reforms, better living conditions, an abolition of taxes and the trial of all ministers.
Protesters in Muscat also demanded cabinet ministers not serve more than four years.
In several other protests, Omanis also demanded the reduction of foreign workers in order to provide more jobs for Omani citizens by private companies.
Anti-government protests
About 200 protesters marched on 17 January demanding salary increases and lower costs of living. The protest shocked news reporters who have viewed Oman as a "politically stable and sleepy country." Renewed protests termed as the Green March, occurred on 18 February, inspired by the serious unrest in fellow Gulf state Bahrain. 350 people marched, demanding an end to corruption and better distribution of oil revenue. The protesters also carried signs with slogans of support for the Sultan. Police did not intervene in the gathering, the petition calling for the reforms will be handed to Oman's Sultan Qaboos.On 26 February, nearly 500 protesters gathered around a shopping mall in the industrial city of Sohar
Sohar
Sohar is the most developed city in Sultanate of Oman outside the capital Muscat. It is about 200 kilometers north of Muscat. Sohar was an ancient capital of Oman and many believe it to be the birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor...
, 230 kilometres from the capital Muscat
Muscat, Oman
Muscat is the capital of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. As of 2008, the population of the Muscat metropolitan area was 1,090,797. The metropolitan area spans approximately and includes six provinces called wilayats...
. The protesters stopped traffic and shoppers around the mall premises. The shops in the area including the mall remained closed on 27 February as well.
On 27 February, protesters returned in Sohar for a second day, hurling stones at security forces who had cordoned them off. The Royal Oman Police
Royal Oman Police
The Royal Oman Police , also known as Oman Police , is the main law and order agency for the Sultanate of Oman. It maintains a helicopter fleet and also carries on the duties of safeguarding the long Omani coastline.-Background:...
eventually used tear gas and rubber bullets to contain and disperse the protesters. According to witnesses, two protesters were killed.
On 28 February, protesters looted and burned a hypermarket in Sohar. The demonstrators also blocked the entrance to Sohar port, where 160,000 barrels of oil derived products are exported. On 1 March protests continued for a fourth day as crowds in Sohar congregated at the Globe Roundabout. Eventually, the Royal Omani Army
Royal Army of Oman
The Royal Army of Oman protects the sovereignty of Oman. In terms of matériel, the Army is small but well equipped to the extent that external aggression is now realistically deterred.-Field organization:*One divisional HQ...
forces, including tanks, peacefully dispersed protesters blocking the Sohar port and cleared them from the main coastal highway linking Muscat to Sohar. The troops later pulled back, though five armored vehicles continued to watch the square. The Globe Roundabout had been the site of up to 2,000 demonstrators over the past three days. About 50 protesters held a sit-in
Sit-in
A sit-in or sit-down is a form of protest that involves occupying seats or sitting down on the floor of an establishment.-Process:In a sit-in, protesters remain until they are evicted, usually by force, or arrested, or until their requests have been met...
as well outside the Consultative Assembly of Oman
Consultative Assembly of Oman
The Consultative Assembly has 83 elected members and it's the legislature of Oman. However, the monarch makes final selections and can negate election results. Oman doesn't allow political parties. Only non-partisans have been elected...
to demand political reform and an end to corruption. The group later grew to over 400 people. Protesters also continued to demand the Consultative Assembly be turned into a "real parliament." The protests were reported to be "peaceful, well-organised and very disciplined." Tents had been set up with separate accommodations for men and women. Placards with protest slogans had also been translated into English, French and German for the international media.
After reports of multiple deaths, the minister of health of Oman claimed only one person had been killed and 20 wounded.
A Facebook entitled "March 2 Uprising for Dignity and Freedom" called for further protests in all parts of Oman, beginning on 2 March, and it attracted more than 2,300 users. However, protests only occurred at the Globe Roundabout in Sohar with a smaller crowd of 50 protesters who blockaded the area. Some people had organised community policing groups to prevent more damage. The army also issued a red alert to vacate the area or threatened action. The 'Sohar Citizen Committee' as its called has started giving out numbers of its core members to people who can call upon it in case of an emergency or riots attack.
On 5 March, protests in the country have spread to Haima
Haima
Haima is a town in the central Oman.It is the capital of the central region of Oman called Al Wusta Region....
, a key oil region about 500 km (310.7 mi) southwest of the capital Muscat, with oil workers staging a sit-in and calling for more government investment in the area.
On 30 March, The Director of Public Prosecutions
Director of Public Prosecutions
The Director of Public Prosecutions is the officer charged with the prosecution of criminal offences in several criminal jurisdictions around the world...
issued a statement saying that complaints were filed by some citizens about acts of rioting, vandalism and breach of public order, and destruction of public and private properties and obstructing business transactions and easy movement of people on the streets. Based in these complains, Public Prosecution give orders to crackdowns by competent authorities. The Omani army stormed the Globe Roundabout
Globe Roundabout
Globe Roundabout is a roundabout in the Sultanate of Oman, located in the industrial city of Sohar. The roundabout is famous for being the center of 2011 Omani protests....
in Sohar clearing blockades and arrested a number of protesters ending a month-old sit-in.
The use of force to clear the roundabout occurred after protesters had blocked traffic at the roundabout for nearly five weeks. The protests at the roundabout also coincided with several acts of forced shut down of government and private sector offices and arson in Sohar and Ibri which finally forced the Omani authorities to take tougher action.
On 1 April, following Friday prayers, hundreds of protesters took to streets in Sohar demanding the release of people detained in the Public Prosecution crackdowns. More than 50 protesters were detained by security forces. The military has also stationed units around government offices and other key buildings in the city. Witnesses reported that when the army moved in to clear the demonstrators, they reacted violently - using knives, rocks and guns. The army responded by initially firing tear gas and bullets in the air. When the demonstrators continued to get violent, the army used rubber bullets which led to the death of one individual after he received a direct hit in the head.
Six others were also badly injured in the incident which had initially started off as a peaceful demonstration demanding the release of over 100 protesters detained by authorities three days before.
On 2 April, dozens of protesters staged a sit-in in Muscat, outside the chief prosecutor's office, to demand probes into alleged state abuses after clashes with security forces a day earlier.
On 5 April, the public prosecutor of Oman announced that it had apprehended individuals who were preparing petrol bombs and were gathering weapons. It stated that they probably planned to use these weapons in a demonstration in the northern industrial city of Sohar on Friday (8 April).
On 8 April, the public prosecutor's office release details and photographs of others who were arrested including one which went by the fancy name of 'Dragon Gang'. Following the arrest of these individuals the situation in Sohar calmed down.
On 8 April after rumours had abounded that a large number of protesters, including women and children, would take to the streets of Sohar after the Friday prayers, nothing untoward was reported by the local media. The Omani army took control of the city setting up multiple checkpoints and arresting a few wanted individuals. The situation in the port city has been calm since that day.
On 6 May, protesters returned to the streets in Salalah
Salalah
Salalah , is the capital and seat of the governor or Wali of the southern Omani province of Dhofar. The population of Salalah was 197,169 in 2009....
after Friday prayers. The protesters called for democratic reform and an end to corruption. The activists and protesters have reiterated their demands for the sacked ministers to be investigated. This was the fourth consecutive Friday to be marked by protests in Salalah.
Police broke up a protest camp in Salalah on 12 May, arresting an unknown number of protesters, possibly over 100. Several dozen more protesters were attacked by baton-wielding gendarmes
Gendarmerie
A gendarmerie or gendarmery is a military force charged with police duties among civilian populations. Members of such a force are typically called "gendarmes". The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary describes a gendarme as "a soldier who is employed on police duties" and a "gendarmery, -erie" as...
and arrested in Salalah on 13 May and early 14 May while demanding jobs and higher pay. Omani newspaper Muscat Daily
Muscat Daily
Muscat Daily is an Omani newspaper that was founded in 2009. The print edition of Muscat Daily is the largest selling English daily in Oman with over 25,000 copies sold every day on Omani weekdays . The paper does not have a weekend edition currently...
reported that protesters clashed with the army on Salalah's central Al Nahda street following the first wave of arrests. The army fired into the air and also used tear gas to break up and disperse stone throwing crowds in Salalah.
Pro-government rallies
On 1 March a rally was organised in Muscat to show support for the Sultan and his government. There were accusations that the government itself organised the rally, though at least some support was a "part genuine outpouring of affection for the sultan." However, multiple smsSMS
SMS is a form of text messaging communication on phones and mobile phones. The terms SMS or sms may also refer to:- Computer hardware :...
' were sent from the state-owned Omantel
Omantel
Oman Telecommunications Company is the first telecommunications company in Oman and is the primary provider of internet services in the country. Omantel acquired a 65% share in WorldCall Pakistan in April 2008. The government of Oman owns a 70% share in Omantel.- Oman Mobile :Oman Mobile is a...
network during the nights precedeing the protests urging loyalists to attend.
There were also continuous reports, mostly from Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
, that supporters of the government drove around in motorcades of up to 200 cars around Muscat in massive motorcades.
In early March rallies in support of the Sultan continued to be staged.
Domestic
The Sultan of Oman cancelled a visit to India as a result of the unrest in the Arab world. He has up till now not made any comments on any of the problems that the country is facing .On 26 February, the Sultan reshuffled the cabinet in response to recent protests. The 84-member Shura council
Consultative Assembly of Oman
The Consultative Assembly has 83 elected members and it's the legislature of Oman. However, the monarch makes final selections and can negate election results. Oman doesn't allow political parties. Only non-partisans have been elected...
is elected by voters across 61 districts, but works in a purely advisory capacity and has no legislative powers. The cabinet reshuffle saw Mohammed bin Nasser al-Khasibi named commerce and industry minister, Hamoud bin Faisal al-Bousaidi as civil service minister and Madiha bint Ahmed bin Nasser as education minister. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Harthy, the outgoing civil service minister, was appointed to head the environment ministry, while Maqboul bin Ali bin Sultan will be the new transport minister and Mohsen bin Mohammed al-Sheikh becomes tourism minister. Protesters had called upon the Sultan to remove Maqbool Bin Ali Bin Sultan from the post of commerce minister as they viewed him as corrupt and inadequate for the task of running the ministry. The Sultan also announced benefits for the students of Higher College of Technology
Higher College of Technology
Higher College of Technology is a public college owned by the Ministry of Manpower of Oman. It is the second largest higher education institution in Oman catering for over 9000 students studying in various programs....
. The students whose homes are 100 km away from the place of study, will be now given 90 Omani rial
Omani rial
The rial is the currency of Oman. It is divided into 1000 baisa .-History:Before 1940, the Indian rupee and the Maria Theresa Thaler were the main currencies circulating in Muscat and Oman, as the state was then known, with rupees circulating on the coast and Thaler in the interior...
allowances while those living at a less than 100-km distance would get 25-rial allowance. The Royal decree issued stated the reason for rise in these stipends as "to achieve further development and provide a decent living."
The Diwan of Royal Court, on the orders of the sultan, decided to set up an independent authority for consumer protection in the country. It has also been decided to study the possibility of establishing cooperative societies in the country which does not allow formation of any political parties, unions, etc. whatsoever. There are also confirmed plans to reduce the percentage contribution of civil servants in the Civil Employees Pension Fund from eight percent to seven percent of the monthly basic salary, adding to it 75 percent of the housing, electricity and water allowances.
On 28 February, Sultan Qaboos pledged to create 50,000 government jobs, provide a monthly benefit of $390 to the unemployed and ordered a committee to draft proposals for boosting the power of an elected council that advises him in state affairs. He also promised that a legislative council would be given more powers. On 5 March, Sultan Qaboos replaced two more ministers. Khaled bin Hilal bin Saud al-Busaidi replaced Sayed Ali bin Hmud al-Busaidi as a minister of the royal court and Sultan bin Mohammed al-Numani replaced General Ali bin Majid al-Maamari as minister in the sultan's office.
On 7 March, Sultan Qaboos issued eight royal decrees including, reshuffling once again the council of ministers and allowing for formation of a state audit committee. Royal Decree No 38/2011 abolished the Ministry of National Economy and states that a committee shall be formed by the Council of Ministers to manage the distribution of its prerogatives, allocations, assets and employees. The ministry had been targeted by protesters for being corrupt and inefficient. On 13 March, a royal decree was announced granting "legislative and regulatory powers" to the parliament, which had previously only been a consultative body. The next day he fired Lieutenant General Malek Bin Sulaiman Al Ma'amari
Malek Bin Sulaiman Al Ma'amari
General Malek Bin Sulaiman Al Ma'amari is an Omani military and political figure. He was the chairman of the National Committee for Civil Defence until he got retired by Sultan Qaboos during 2011 Omani protests....
as Inspector General of the Police and Customs. On 15 March, he also issued further royal decrees to add a "cost of living allowance" to all military and security apparatus as well as all government units in Oman. The Sultan also give orders for raising the Social Insurance Pension by 100% for all the 51,442 persons registered at the Social Development Ministry.
The ruling council issued a statement that condemned the "sabotage" and added that peaceful demonstrations were within "the legal rights of citizens.".
Other responses includes creating of a second public university, establishing the first Islamic bank in the region and approving Marriage Fund utility.
Apolitical
The Muscat Securities Market
Muscat Securities Market
The Muscat Securities Market is the only stock exchange in Oman. It was established by the Royal Decree issued on 21 June 1988 to regulate and control the Omani securities market and to participate, effectively, with other organizations for setting up the infrastructure of the Sultanate's...
's main index fell 4.9 percent. Neighbouring United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
' two main stock markets in Dubai
Dubai Financial Market
The Dubai Financial Market is a stock exchange located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was founded on March 26, 2000.There are about 57 companies listed on DFM, most of them are UAE-based companies and a few dual listings for companies based in other MENA region countries. Many companies allow...
and Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange [ADSM] is a stock exchange in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates . It was established on 15 November 2000 to trade shares of UAE companies. There are trading locations in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Fujeirah, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah...
also fell as the instability moved to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The Sohar Industrial Port Company said that the local port's functions were never disrupted by more than a few hours during periods of traffic probles caused by the protests.
International
Supranational bodies Gulf Cooperation Council members agreed to provide Oman with an aid plan similar to the Marshall planMarshall Plan
The Marshall Plan was the large-scale American program to aid Europe where the United States gave monetary support to help rebuild European economies after the end of World War II in order to combat the spread of Soviet communism. The plan was in operation for four years beginning in April 1948...
, consisting of $10 billion aimed at upgrading housing and infrastructure over a period of 10 years. They also agreed that they would give more preference to GCC-member state nationals while hiring individuals.
States
IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
– The Indian embassy in Muscat issued a notice to all citizens of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
currently residing in Oman (estimated at more than 300,000) to register themselves with the embassy. It also requested them to avoid taking part in any pro-government or anti-government rallies and steer clear of any kind of trouble.
NetherlandsNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Queen Beatrix had originally postponed a state visit to Oman amidst the crisis. The visit later went ahead but was downgraded to a private visit amidst several political parties expressing concern the royal could be seen as supportive of the sultan. Parliament will debate the matter on Tuesday.
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
– The British embassy in Oman issued a notice to all British citizens in the country to avoid visiting Sohar as the situation in the city was tense.
United States of America – The U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. CrowleyPhilip J. Crowley
Philip J. “P.J.” Crowley is the former United States Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, having been sworn into office on May 26, 2009. He resigned on March 13, 2011, following comments he made about the treatment of Bradley Manning. Crowley was named the 2011-2012 recipient of the...
told reporters the U.S. encouraged the government of Oman to show restraint and resolve differences through dialogue. "We have been in touch with the government and encouraged restraint and to resolve differences through dialogue. We are encouraged by the recent steps toward reform taken by the government of Oman, and we strongly encourage the government to continue to implement reforms that increase economic opportunity and move toward greater inclusion and participation in the political process."
NGOs
Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
has requested and urged the Omani government to show restraint while dealing with protesters.
External links
See also
- Dhofar RebellionDhofar RebellionThe Dhofar Rebellion was launched in the province of Dhofar against the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, which had British support, from 1962 to 1976. It ended with the defeat of the rebels, but the state of Oman had to be radically reformed and modernised to cope with the campaign.-Background:In...
- World unemployment rates
- Corruption Perceptions IndexCorruption Perceptions IndexSince 1995, Transparency International publishes the Corruption Perceptions Index annually ranking countries "by their perceived levels of corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys." The CPI generally defines corruption as "the misuse of public power for private...
- Freedom in the World