Government and Politics of Oman

Government Type

monarchy

Administrative Divisions

6 regions (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah) and 2 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*, Zufar*; note - the US Embassy in Oman reports that Masqat is a governorate, but this has not been confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN)

Legal System

based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

in Oman's most recent elections in 2000, limited to approximately 175,000 Omanis chosen by the government to vote in elections for the Majlis al-Shura

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Oman dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: unknown

Executive Branch

chief of state: Sultan HAITHAM bin Tariq Al Said (sultan since 11 January 2020); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan HAITHAM bin Tariq Al Said (sultan since 11 January 2020); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; Sultan HAITHAM bin Tariq Al Said assumed power following the death of his cousin, Sultan QABOOS bin Said al-Said, who had ruled since 1970

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber, the Majlis al-Dawla (85 seats; members appointed by the Sultan; serves in an advisory capacity only), and a lower chamber, the Majlis al-Shura (90 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; the body holds limited authority to propose and review legislation but otherwise functions in an advisory role). Elections: last held on 29 October 2023 (next to be held in 2027). Election results: Voter turnout was approximately 63 percent; all 90 seats were contested by independent candidates, as political parties are not permitted in Oman; no women won seats in the 2023 election despite a number standing as candidates.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has judges who practice secular and Shari'a law

Political Parties

none

Head of State

Sultan HAITHAM bin Tariq Al Said (sultan since 11 January 2020)

Head of Government

Sultan HAITHAM bin Tariq Al Said (sultan since 11 January 2020)

Cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the monarch

Elections

last held on 29 October 2023 (next to be held in 2027).

Election Results

Voter turnout was approximately 63 percent; all 90 seats were contested by independent candidates, as political parties are not permitted in Oman; no women won seats in the 2023 election despite a number standing as candidates.

Constitution

none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens

Independence

1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

National Holiday

Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)

International Organization Participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988 FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard Lewis BALTIMORE III embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat mailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos, Muscat telephone: [968] 24-698989 FAX: [968] 24-699771

Capital City

Muscat

Location

23 37 N, 58 35 E

Time Difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

the name, whose meaning is uncertain, traces back almost two millennia; two 2nd century A.D. scholars, the geographer PTOLEMY and the historian ARRIAN, both mention an Arabian Sea coastal town of Moscha, which most likely referred to Muscat

U.S. Embassy Muscat Jamiat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair Area (Shatti Al-Qurum), in the capital city of Muscat. Mailing address: PO Box 202, Medinat Al Sultan Qaboos 115, Sultanate of Oman, Telephone: (968) 24-643-400 Facsimile: (968) 24-643-53 The Embassy's Consular e-mail address is ConsularMuscat@state.gov

Military Branches

Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat Oman)

Service Age and Obligation

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription