GOVERNMENT
Sultan
Qaboos bin Sa'id rules with the aid of his ministers. His dynasty,
the Al Sa'id, was founded about 250 years ago by Imam Ahmed bin
Sa'id. The sultan is a direct descendant of the l9th century ruler,
Sa'id bin Sultan, who first opened relations with the United States
in 1833. The Sultanate has neither political parties nor legislature,
although the bicameral representative bodies provide the government
with advice.
Oman's
judicial system traditionally has been based on the Shari'a--the
Quranic laws and the oral teachings of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.
Traditionally, Shari'a courts fell under the jurisdiction of the
Ministry of Justice, Awqaf, and Islamic Affairs. Oman's first
criminal code was not enacted until 1974.
In 1999,
royal decrees placed the entire court system--magistrates, commercial,
shari'a and civil courts--under the control of the Ministry of
Justice. An independent Office of the Public Prosecutor also has
been created (formerly a part of the Royal Oman Police), and a
supreme court is under formation. Regional court complexes are
envisioned to house the various courts, including the courts of
first instance for criminal cases and Shariah cases (family law
and inheritance).
Administratively, the country is divided into 60 districts (wilayats), presided over by appointed executives (walis) responsible for settling local disputes, collecting taxes, and maintaining peace. Most wilayats are small in area, but can vary considerably in population. The 60 wilayats are divided into eight regions. Three of those regions (Muscat, Dhofar, and Musandam) have been accorded a special status as governorates. The governors of those three regions are appointed directly by the Sultan and hold Minister of State rank. Walis, however, are appointed by the Minister of Interior.
In November
1991, Sultan Qaboos established the Majlis al-Shura (Consultative
Council), which replaced the 10-year-old State Consultative Council,
in an effort to systematize and broaden public participation in
government. Representatives were chosen in the following manner:
Local caucuses in each of the 59 districts sent forward the names
of three nominees, whose credentials were reviewed by a cabinet
committee. These names were then forwarded to the Sultan, who
made the final selection. The Consultative Council serves as a
conduit of information between the people and the government ministries.
It is empowered to review drafts of economic and social legislation
prepared by service ministries, such as communications and housing,
and to provide recommendations. Service ministers also may be
summoned before the Majlis to respond to representatives' questions.
It has no authority in the areas of foreign affairs, defense,
security, and finances.
Although Oman enjoys a high degree of internal stability, regional tensions in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf war, the Iran-Iraq war, and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom continue to necessitate large defense expenditures. In 2005, Oman spent roughly $3.65 billion for defense and national security--about 33.4% of its public expenditures. Oman maintains a small but professional and effective military, supplied mainly with British equipment in addition to items from the United States, France, and other countries. British officers, on loan or on contract to the Sultanate, help staff the armed forces, although a program of "Omanization" has steadily increased the proportion of Omani officers over the past several years.
After
North and South Yemen merged in May 1990, Oman settled its border
disputes with the new Republic of Yemen on October 1, 1992. The
two neighbors have cooperative bilateral relations. Oman's borders
with all neighbors are demarcated, including a 2002 demarcation
of the Oman-UAE border that was ratified in 2003.
Principal
Government Officials
Sultan, Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Finance--Qaboos bin Sa'id Al Said
Minister of Palace Office Affairs--Ali bin Majid al-Ma'amari
Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Affairs – Sayyid Fahad bin Mahmud al-Said
Minister of State Responsible for Foreign Affairs--Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah
Minister of National Economy--Ahmad bin Abd al-Nabi Makki
Minister of Legal Affairs--Mohammed bin Ali bin Nasir al-Alawi
Minister of State Responsible for Defense--Badr bin Saud bin Harib al-Busaidi
Ambassador to the United States--Hunaina Sultan al-Mughairy
Permanent Representative to the UN--Fuad bin Mubarak al-Hinai
Oman
maintains an embassy in the United States at 2535 Belmont Rd.
NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/387-1980)
Government
Type: Monarchy.
Constitution: On November 6, 1996, Sultan Qaboos
issued a royal decree promulgating the Basic Statute which clarifies
the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers
from holding interests in companies doing business with the government,
establishes a bicameral parliament, and guarantees basic civil
liberties for Omani citizens.
Branches: Executive--Sultan. Legislative--Majlis
Al-Shura (Consultative Council). Judicial--Magistrate courts handle
criminal cases; Shari'a (Islamic law) courts oversee family law.
Political parties: None.
Suffrage: Universal adult.
Administrative subdivisions: Eight administrative
regions--Muscat, Al Batinah, Musandam, A'Dhahirah, A'Dakhliya,
A'Shariqiya, Al Wusta, Dhofar Governorate. There are 59 districts
(wilayats).
