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Oman - Government and Political Conditions (Notes)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS 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 financial supervision of the Ministry of Justice, though the 1996 Basic Law ensures the independence of the judiciary. An independent Office of the Public Prosecutor also has been created (formerly a part of the Royal Oman Police), as has a supreme court. 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 59 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 59 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 2004, Oman allocated $2.53 billion for defense--about 28.4% of its total budget. 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 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--Mohamed Ali Al-Khusaiby 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)