Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said has issued a royal decree to pave the way for a constitutional amendment which will allow him to appoint a Crown Prince.
The Royal Decree No. 6/2021 promulgates a new Basic Law of the State which will “set up a specific and stable mechanism for the transfer of power in the sultanate,” according to state news channel Oman News Agency. The amendment will not only regulate the appointment of a Crown Prince but it will also outline his duties and prerogatives.
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said came to power one year ago upon the death of his predecessor Sultan Qaboos. Sultan Qaboos had named his preferred successor in an envelope that was to be opened upon his death.
The intended Crown Prince is the Sultan’s eldest son, Dhi Yazan bin Haitham, as per the new amendment which stipulates that “the mandate of power would be transferred from the sultan to his eldest son, then the eldest son of the latter’s son, and so on.” If the eldest son is under the age of 21, the powers of the sultan shall be exercised by a guardianship council appointed by the sultan, or by the royal family council. If the eldest son predeceases his father, the title will pass to his eldest son.
