Politics

The politics of Oman takes place in a framework of an absolute monarchy whereby the Sultan of Oman is not only head of state, but also the head of government. Chief of state and government is the hereditary sultan, Qaboos bin Said Al Said, who appoints a cabinet to assist him. In the early 1990s, the sultan instituted an elected advisory council, the Majlis ash-Shura, though few Omanis were eligible at that time to vote. However, universal suffrage for those over 21 was instituted on 4 October 2003.

The Monarchy

Chief of state and government is the hereditary sultan, Qaboos bin Said Al Said, a direct descendant of the 19th century ruler, Usman 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. The sultan does not designate a successor when alive. Instead, the ruling family tries to unanimously designate a new sultan after his death. If they do not designate a new ruler after three days, then they open a letter left to them by the deceased sultan, containing a recommendation for a new sultan. It is assumed that the ruling family will agree on this person as the successor.

The sultan functions as an absolute ruler.

The Consultative Council

In November 1991, Sultan Qaboos established the Consultative Assembly (Majlis al-Shura), which replaced the 10-year-old State Consultative Council, in an effort to systematise and broaden public participation in government. The Assembly has 83 elected members with only consultative tasks.

The Consultative Assembly 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, defence, security and finances. The Council of State (Majlis al-Dawla) has 41 appointed members.

Legislative System

Oman's judicial system traditionally has been based on the Shari'a - the Qur'anic 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.

The current structure of the criminal court system was established in 1984 and consists of a magistrate court in the capital and four additional magistrate courts in Sohar, Sur, Salalah and Nizwa. In the less-populated areas and among the nomadic bedouin, tribal custom often is the law.

Recent royal decrees have 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).

Political Parties and Elections

Though Oman is developing into a constitutional monarchy, political parties are not yet allowed in Oman. The previously influential opposition movement, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman, is dormant today.

Universal suffrage for those over 21 was instituted in 2003. Over 190,000 people (74% of those registered) voted to elect the 83 seats. Two women were elected to seats.

Foreign Relations

Although Oman enjoys a high degree of internal stability, regional tensions in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf war and the Iran-Iraq war continue to necessitate large defence expenditures. In 2001, Oman budgeted $2.4 billion for defence - about 33% of its gross domestic product.

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 "Omanisation" 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 1 October 1992. The two neighbours have cooperative bilateral relations. Oman's borders with all neighbours are demarcated.