Eleanor Finch
Oman is an absolute monarchy, officially known as the Sultanate of Oman, with the Sultan serving as the head of state and government. The Sultan is a direct descendant of the founder of the Al Said dynasty and is chosen from the ruling family. The current Sultan, Haitham bin Tariq, was appointed in 2020 and has made significant changes to the country's constitution, including creating a crown prince position and reconfiguring the powers of the two-chamber assembly. While Oman has a constitution and a bicameral legislature, the Sultan holds all legislative, executive, and judicial power, and the country does not allow political parties or other forms of political representation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Monarchy | Absolute Monarchy |
| Political System | The Sultan holds unlimited power and authority, unburdened by any constitutional or parliamentary restraint |
| Head of State | Sultan |
| Head of Government | Sultan |
| Legislative Branch | State Council (Majlis al-Dawla, or Upper Chamber) and Consultative Council (Majlis al-Shura, or Lower Chamber) |
| Suffrage | Universal for all citizens aged 21 or older; members of the military and security forces are not allowed to vote |
| Political Parties | Not allowed |
| Political Representation | Not allowed |
| Legal System | Sharia (Islamic law) and civil law |
| Human Rights | Oman's legal code theoretically protects civil liberties and personal freedoms, but they are regularly ignored by the regime |
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What You'll Learn
Oman is an absolute monarchy
The Sultan's role in upholding Islamic law, or Sharia law, plays a significant part in the governance and legal system of the country. The Sultanate's legal framework combines traditional Islamic law (Sharia) and civil law. The Sultan has the authority to appoint and dismiss government officials, including ministers, and plays a central role in shaping Oman's foreign policy and overall governance.
The territories that make up the present-day Sultanate of Oman were consolidated in 1970 by Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said, following a palace coup that ousted his father. The country had previously been known as the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, reflecting historical differences between the coastal area around the capital and the tribal interior, which had been run with limited autonomy by Ibadi imams.
In 1996, Sultan Qaboos issued a royal decree promulgating the Basic Law, which is considered to be Oman's constitution. It guaranteed citizens' basic civil rights and established a bicameral legislature, the Council of Oman, consisting of an upper chamber, the State Council (Majlis al-Dawla), and a lower chamber, the Consultative Council (Majlis al-Shura). While the members of the Consultative Council are elected by the people, both chambers are ultimately advisory in nature, with sole legislative, executive, and judicial power resting entirely in the hands of the Sultan.
In 2021, the new Sultan, Haitham bin Tariq, created the position of Crown Prince of Oman and reconfigured the powers of the country's two-chamber assembly. The new State Basic Law, or the new constitution, marks Sultan Haitham's first anniversary as the country's ruler and clarifies who will succeed the sultan and take the throne next.
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The Sultan is hereditary
Oman is an absolute monarchy, with the Sultan serving as the country's leader, chief of state, and head of government. The Sultan is a hereditary ruler, directly descended from Ahmad bin Said al-Busaidi, the founder of the Al Said dynasty. The current Sultan, Haitham bin Tariq, was appointed on January 11, 2020, following the death of his cousin, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said, who had ruled for nearly 50 years.
The Sultan's role in Oman is extensive, as he holds legislative, executive, and judiciary powers. He appoints a cabinet to assist him and serves as the supreme commander of the armed forces and prime minister. The Sultan also has the authority to appoint and dismiss government officials and plays a central role in shaping the country's foreign policy and overall governance. The monarchy in Oman is unique, as the Sultan is traditionally chosen from the ruling Al Said family, and his position is passed down from generation to generation.
The establishment of the crown prince position by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in 2021 further emphasised the hereditary nature of the monarchy. This move created a defined line of succession, with the expectation that the eldest son, Dhi Yazan bin Haitham, would become the first crown prince in Oman's history. The crown prince's role is significant, as it influences the political hierarchy within the royal family and decision-making processes.
While Oman's government structure includes a two-chamber assembly, the Council of Oman, with an appointed Council of State (Majlis al-Dawla) and an elected Consultative Council (Majlis al-Shura), the Sultan ultimately retains sole legislative, executive, and judicial power. The Council of Oman has an advisory role and can propose draft laws, but it does not have the power to enforce them. Omani citizens can vote for members of the Consultative Council, but political parties are not allowed in the country.
The Basic Statute of the State, promulgated by Sultan Qaboos in 1996, serves as Oman's constitution. It provides a framework for legislation, citizen rights, and the roles of political authorities. The legal system in Oman combines traditional Islamic law (Sharia) with civil law and is regulated by Royal Decree. The Sultan's position as the hereditary ruler of Oman is firmly established, and his authority extends across various aspects of the country's governance and administration.
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The Sultan is head of state and government
Oman is an absolute monarchy, with the Sultan serving as both the head of state and the head of government. The Sultan is a direct descendant of Ahmad bin Said al-Busaidi, the founder of the Al Said dynasty, and the position is hereditary. The current Sultan, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, ascended to the throne in January 2020, succeeding Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who had ruled for nearly 50 years.
As the head of state and government, the Sultan holds extensive powers and has the authority to appoint and dismiss government officials, including ministers. He also plays a central role in shaping Oman's foreign policy and overall governance. The Sultan is the supreme commander of the armed forces and also serves as the prime minister and head of the central bank. Additionally, he holds the ministerial portfolios of defence, foreign affairs, and finance.
The Sultan appoints a cabinet to assist him in governing the country. The cabinet includes the Royal Office, which controls internal and external security and coordinates intelligence and security policies. The Sultan's Special Forces are responsible for border security and anti-smuggling operations, while the Royal Oman Police provide regular policing and immigration services.
While Oman has a bicameral legislature, known as the Council of Oman, it has limited powers. The upper chamber, the State Council (Majlis al-Dawla), is appointed by the Sultan and has only advisory powers. The lower chamber, the Consultative Council (Majlis al-Shura), is elected by the people but is also advisory in nature. Sole legislative, executive, and judicial power rests entirely in the hands of the Sultan.
In recent years, there have been calls for political reform in Oman, and the new Sultan has made some changes, such as creating a crown prince position and reconfiguring the powers of the two-chamber assembly. However, true change would require empowering the consultative council to represent citizens and granting it the ability to translate its decisions into law.
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The Sultan appoints a cabinet
Oman is indeed a constitutional monarchy, with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said at the helm as the head of state. The Sultan of Oman wields significant power and is responsible for appointing the cabinet, which is also known as the Council of Ministers.
The Council of Ministers is the highest executive body in Oman and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the country. The Council comprises the
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Oman has a bicameral legislature
Oman is an absolute monarchy, with legislative, executive, and judiciary powers resting in the hands of the hereditary sultan. The sultan is the leader of the country and serves as the head of state and government. The sultan's cabinet is appointed by him, and he is also the supreme commander of the armed forces and prime minister.
In 1996, Sultan Qaboos issued a royal decree, which established a bicameral legislature, the Council of Oman. This council consists of two chambers: an upper chamber, the State Council (Majlis al-Dawla), and a lower chamber, the Consultative Council (Majlis al-Shura). The State Council is made up of 71 to 75 members, who are appointed by the sultan and have advisory powers only. The Consultative Council, on the other hand, is elected by the people and has 84 seats. While the two chambers provide advice and input on policy matters, their decisions are not binding, and sole legislative, executive, and judicial power rests entirely with the sultan.
The establishment of the Council of Oman was a significant step towards providing a framework for the roles of various political authorities and outlining the rights of citizens. The council's duties include approving or amending laws, discussing development plans and the state budget, and proposing draft laws. However, to bring about real political change, there have been calls for the sultan to grant more powers to the Council of Oman, allowing its members to act and represent citizens more effectively.
While Oman's legal code theoretically protects civil liberties and personal freedoms, in practice, these rights are often ignored, and the country has faced criticism from human rights groups. Despite this, the Omani government has made efforts to improve the status of women, and the country has seen steady progress in this regard.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Oman is an absolute monarchy.
Absolute monarchy is a political system where a single monarch holds unlimited power and authority, unburdened by any constitutional or parliamentary restraint.
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said is the current Sultan of Oman. He ascended to the throne in January 2020.
The Sultan of Oman is both the head of state and the head of government. He holds extensive powers over the administration and decision-making in the country, including the authority to appoint and dismiss government officials and ministers. The Sultan also serves as the supreme commander of the armed forces and the prime minister.
Yes, Oman has a constitution called the "Basic Law" or the "Basic Statute of the State". It was promulgated by Sultan Qaboos in 1996 and provides the basis for legislation, sets out the rights of citizens, and delineates the roles of various political authorities.
