Oman

The Sultanate of Oman is a country in the southwestern part of Asia, on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the United Arab Emirates in the northwest, Saudi Arabia in the west, and Yemen in the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea in the south and east, and the Gulf of Oman in the northeast.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Oman

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Chief of state and government is the hereditary sultan (Qaboos of Oman), who appoints a cabinet to assist him. In the early 1990s, the sultan instituted an elected advisory council, the Majlis ash-Shura, though only a small part of the Omanis were elegible to vote. Universal suffrage for those over 21 was instituted on 4 October 2003. Over 190,000 people (74% of those registered) voted to elect the 83 seats. Two women were elected to seats.

Related Topics:
Qaboos of Oman - 1990s - 4 October - 2003

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Although the sultan functions basically as an absolute Ruler, he has the approval of most of the Omanis: in his 30 years of government he has greatly improved the situation in the country. The governmental system is very gradually developing in the direction of some democracy.

Related Topics:
Absolute - Democracy

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