Oman's political maturity

Observer

23-04-2025

Global political experiences, with their strengths and shortcomings, affirm that stability — in all its forms — is an essential aspiration societies must never compromise. Among the deepest and most mature examples in the region is the Omani political experience, spanning centuries. However, its contemporary chapter notably began in 1970 when a political crisis was peacefully resolved, thanks to the wisdom of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. When I asked my father, who actively participated in those historical events, about the crisis, he responded with a powerful statement that still resonates with me: "That political experience taught me that Oman can only prosper through unity and unity requires a foundation built on societal harmony, absolute loyalty to the homeland and allegiance to His Majesty the Sultan".
Since the dawn of the Omani renaissance in 1970, the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos consistently emphasised cooperation, unity and avoiding division or conflict that could harm national spirit and future. This approach allowed Oman's renaissance to advance steadily despite numerous political and economic challenges. Consequently, Oman's political experience has proven successful, giving birth to a modern, politically matured Oman that has become an international mediator in complex political negotiations, including recent tensions between the US and Iran.
Like many nations, Oman has faced economic challenges since 2014 due to falling oil prices. The government resorted to borrowing to address the resulting economic stagnation affecting oil-exporting countries. With the renewed renaissance in 2020 under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Oman embraced a fresh economic vision, focusing on essential fiscal and economic reforms, such as reducing and eventually eliminating public debt. Despite tough economic conditions intensified by the Covid-19 pandemic, some governmental measures, though initially uncomfortable, are crucial for long-term sustainable economic health. It is important to comprehend and accept these temporary measures as necessary steps towards future economic recovery.
Nevertheless, this understanding does not imply neglecting other significant issues, such as unemployment, layoffs, individual income growth and tax relief. These concerns remain governmental priorities and any attentive observer can recognise ongoing efforts, expected to yield positive outcomes soon. Therefore, it would be unfair and contrary to authentic Omani values to pursue solutions that might lead to unintended security disruptions, exploited by external political agendas, potentially escalating beyond peaceful intentions to unrest and chaos.
Oman's historical and contemporary political lessons strongly emphasise national unity and warn against allowing seemingly simple political movements to evolve into complex scenarios threatening national stability, as observed in various Arab countries. Initially peaceful movements have occasionally been manipulated, escalating into conflict and fragmentation, much to the benefit of external interests.
Reflecting again on the 1970 political experience, historical records reveal how intertwined political objectives, national reforms and external interference impacted Oman's stability. While genuine, patriotic reform efforts certainly existed and must be objectively acknowledged, external interventions harmed critical national interests, destabilising unity. Many involved in that historical experience, including my father, concluded that genuine national reforms, if overtaken by external influences or executed through violence and political extremism, derail and push nations into uncertain futures filled with escalating conflicts.
Thus, when addressing today's issues, optimal solutions lie in adopting a unified national approach, merging governmental initiatives with individual contributions. Oman has already demonstrated successful examples through national dialogues contributing directly to the national vision, strongly supported by His Majesty the Sultan. This strategy underscores Oman's continuous determination to foster inclusive growth and national renewal involving all sectors and individuals equally. Everyone is encouraged to participate actively in this democratic experience, leveraging collective success to resolve existing societal issues.
Additionally, guided by Royal directives, the Omani government introduced the 'Tajawob' platform, a space open to all citizens to express opinions, observations and suggestions respectfully and constructively aligned with Oman's balanced and mature approach. By adopting such civilised methods, Oman can create homegrown solutions without resorting to disruptive methods that cause more harm than good, thus reflecting our advanced political maturity.