Kuwait City – A recent Emiri decree has sparked controversy and surprise within political and diplomatic circles after the Kuwaiti government revoked the citizenship of its ambassador to London, Bader Mohammad Al-Awadhi. The unprecedented move involves stripping a serving ambassador of his nationality, raising significant legal and sovereign implications.
According to the official gazette, Kuwait Al-Youm, the decree was based on the recommendation of the Supreme Committee for Investigating Kuwaiti Nationality, headed by the Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef. Official sources stated that the citizenship revocation was a consequence of the prior withdrawal of citizenship from the ambassador’s late father, Mohammad Ibrahim Al-Awadhi, a former officer. This action was based on Articles (13) and (21 bis) of the Kuwaiti Nationality Law, which pertain to acquisition of citizenship through false statements or falsification of original documents. Consequently, this automatically leads to the revocation of citizenship for those who benefited derivatively.
The decision has placed the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a delicate position, as Ambassador Al-Awadhi officially represented Kuwait in London, a key political and diplomatic capital, until the decree was issued. As of yet, there has been no official comment from Ambassador Al-Awadhi. Diplomatic sources suggest that he may maintain administrative silence while awaiting arrangements for his return to Kuwait or exploring potential legal avenues, such as filing a grievance. However, decisions pertaining to sovereignty and nationality are often not subject to direct judicial appeal in certain aspects.
Ambassador Al-Awadhi’s official social media accounts have remained silent since news of the citizenship revocation emerged, fueling further speculation and uncertainty surrounding his official stance on the matter.
This decision is part of a broader campaign launched by the Kuwaiti government since 2024 to re-examine and purify nationality files, encompassing thousands of cases, from former parliamentarians and military personnel to academics, officials, and diplomats. Authorities maintain that the goal is to ensure compliance with the law and address any irregularities in the granting of Kuwaiti citizenship.
