2011 Omani protests

2011 Omani protests
Part of the Arab Spring
Protesters set ablaze Lulu Hypermarket in Sohar on February 28, 2011
Date January 17, 2011 (2011-01-17) – May 31, 2011 (2011-05-31) Location  Oman Status Ended Goals Salary increases, creating jobs, fighting corruption. Characteristics Demonstrations, sit-ins, and riots
Casualties
Death(s) 2–6 [1] Injuries 20

The 2011 Omani protests were a series of protests in the Gulf country of Oman. They were a part of the revolutionary wave popularly known as the Arab Spring. It's the first protest to be ended among the Arab Spring.^[2]

Unlike other protests in the region, Oman’s demonstrators have emphasised their loyalty to their ruler, while voicing their dissatisfaction on corrupt officials. The sultan responded to most of the demands which focus largely on more jobs and higher minimum salaries for Omanis, in addition to more power for the legislative council and the removal of several corrupt ministers.^[3]

Issues

Protesters demanded salary increases and lower costs of living. On 20 February 2011, protesters welcomed a move by the government to increase the minimum wage.^[4] The wage increase targets Omani workers in the private sector. Public sector Omani employees have received wage increases in the past, but the private sector was so far overlooked. The Government of Oman raised minimum wages for an estimated 150,000 private sector employees to $520 from $364 a month.^[5] As protests continued in Sohar the demands were still jobs and political reforms.^[6] The protesters also want more jobs, freedom of expression, less government control over the media,^[7] political reforms, better living conditions, an abolition of taxes and the trial of all ministers.^[8]

Protesters in Muscat also demanded cabinet ministers not serve more than four years.^[9]

In several other protests, Omanis also demanded the reduction of foreign workers in order to provide more jobs for Omani citizens by private companies.^[10]

Anti-government protests

About 200 protesters marched on 17 January demanding salary increases and lower costs of living. The protest shocked news reporters who have viewed Oman as a "politically stable and sleepy country."^[11] Renewed protests termed as the Green March,^[12] occurred on 18 February, inspired by the serious unrest in fellow Gulf state Bahrain. 350 people marched, demanding an end to corruption and better distribution of oil revenue.^[13] The protesters also carried signs with slogans of support for the Sultan.^[14] Police did not intervene in the gathering, the petition calling for the reforms will be handed to Oman's Sultan Qaboos.^[15]

On 26 February, nearly 500 protesters gathered around a shopping mall in the industrial city of Sohar, 230 kilometres from the capital Muscat.^[16] The protesters stopped traffic and shoppers around the mall premises. The shops in the area including the mall remained closed on 27 February as well.^[17]

On 27 February, protesters returned in Sohar for a second day, hurling stones at security forces who had cordoned them off.^[18] The Royal Oman Police eventually used tear gas and rubber bullets to contain and disperse the protesters.^[18] According to witnesses, two protesters were killed.^[19][20][21]

On 28 February, protesters looted and burned a hypermarket in Sohar.^[22] The demonstrators also blocked the entrance to Sohar port, where 160,000 barrels of oil derived products are exported.^[23] On 1 March protests continued for a fourth day as crowds in Sohar congregated at the Globe Roundabout. Eventually, the Royal Omani Army forces, including tanks, peacefully dispersed protesters blocking the Sohar port and cleared them from the main coastal highway linking Muscat to Sohar.^[24][25][26] The troops later pulled back, though five armored vehicles continued to watch the square.^[27] The Globe Roundabout had been the site of up to 2,000 demonstrators over the past three days.^[6] About 50 protesters held a sit-in as well outside the Consultative Assembly of Oman to demand political reform and an end to corruption.^[28][29] The group later grew to over 400 people.^[30] Protesters also continued to demand the Consultative Assembly be turned into a "real parliament." The protests were reported to be "peaceful, well-organised and very disciplined." Tents had been set up with separate accommodations for men and women. Placards with protest slogans had also been translated into English, French and German for the international media.^[31]

After reports of multiple deaths, the minister of health of Oman claimed only one person had been killed and 20 wounded.^[32]

A Facebook entitled "March 2 Uprising for Dignity and Freedom" called for further protests in all parts of Oman, beginning on 2 March, and it attracted more than 2,300 users.^[8] However, protests only occurred at the Globe Roundabout in Sohar with a smaller crowd of 50 protesters who blockaded the area.^[33] Some people had organised community policing groups to prevent more damage.^[34][35] The army also issued a red alert to vacate the area or threatened action.^[36] The 'Sohar Citizen Committee' as its called has started giving out numbers of its core members to people who can call upon it in case of an emergency or riots attack.^[36]

On 5 March, protests in the country have spread to Haima, a key oil region about 500 km (310 mi) southwest of the capital Muscat, with oil workers staging a sit-in and calling for more government investment in the area.^[37]

On 30 March, The Director of Public Prosecutions issued a statement saying that complaints were filed by some citizens about acts of rioting, vandalism and breach of public order, and destruction of public and private properties and obstructing business transactions and easy movement of people on the streets. Based in these complains, Public Prosecution give orders to crackdowns by competent authorities. The Omani army stormed the Globe Roundabout in Sohar clearing blockades and arrested a number of protesters ending a month-old sit-in.^{[38][39][40][41][42]} The use of force to clear the roundabout occurred after protesters had blocked traffic at the roundabout for nearly five weeks. The protests at the roundabout also coincided with several acts of forced shut down of government and private sector offices and arson in Sohar and Ibri which finally forced the Omani authorities to take tougher action.^[43]

On 1 April, following Friday prayers, hundreds of protesters took to streets in Sohar demanding the release of people detained in the Public Prosecution crackdowns.^[44] More than 50 protesters were detained by security forces. The military has also stationed units around government offices and other key buildings in the city.^[45] Witnesses reported that when the army moved in to clear the demonstrators, they reacted violently - using knives, rocks and guns. The army responded by initially firing tear gas and bullets in the air. When the demonstrators continued to get violent, the army used rubber bullets which led to the death of one individual after he received a direct hit in the head.^[46][47] Six others were also badly injured in the incident which had initially started off as a peaceful demonstration demanding the release of over 100 protesters detained by authorities three days before.^[48]

On 2 April, dozens of protesters staged a sit-in in Muscat, outside the chief prosecutor's office, to demand probes into alleged state abuses after clashes with security forces a day earlier.^[45]

On 5 April, the public prosecutor of Oman announced that it had apprehended individuals who were preparing petrol bombs and were gathering weapons. It stated that they probably planned to use these weapons in a demonstration in the northern industrial city of Sohar on Friday (8 April).^[49]

On 8 April, the public prosecutor's office release details and photographs of others who were arrested including one which went by the fancy name of 'Dragon Gang'.^[50] Following the arrest of these individuals the situation in Sohar calmed down.

On 8 April after rumours had abounded that a large number of protesters, including women and children, would take to the streets of Sohar after the Friday prayers, nothing untoward was reported by the local media. The Omani army took control of the city setting up multiple checkpoints and arresting a few wanted individuals. The situation in the port city has been calm since that day.^[51]

On 6 May, protesters returned to the streets in Salalah after Friday prayers. The protesters called for democratic reform and an end to corruption.^[52] The activists and protesters have reiterated their demands for the sacked ministers to be investigated. This was the fourth consecutive Friday to be marked by protests in Salalah.

Police broke up a protest camp in Salalah on 12 May, arresting an unknown number of protesters, possibly over 100. Several dozen more protesters were attacked by baton-wielding gendarmes and arrested in Salalah on 13 May and early 14 May while demanding jobs and higher pay.^[53] Omani newspaper Muscat Daily reported that protesters clashed with the army on Salalah's central Al Nahda street following the first wave of arrests. The army fired into the air and also used tear gas to break up and disperse stone throwing crowds in Salalah.^[54]

Pro-government rallies

On 1 March a rally was organised in Muscat to show support for the Sultan and his government. There were accusations that the government itself organised the rally, though at least some support was a "part genuine outpouring of affection for the sultan." However, multiple sms' were sent from the state-owned Omantel network during the nights precedeing the protests urging loyalists to attend.^[7]

There were also continuous reports, mostly from Twitter, that supporters of the government drove around in motorcades of up to 200 cars around Muscat in massive motorcades.^[55][56]

In early March rallies in support of the Sultan continued to be staged.^[31]

Responses

Domestic

The Sultan of Oman cancelled a visit to India as a result of the unrest in the Arab world.^[57] He has up till now not made any comments on any of the problems that the country is facing .

On 26 February, the Sultan reshuffled the cabinet^[16] in response to recent protests. The 84-member Shura council is elected by voters across 61 districts, but works in a purely advisory capacity and has no legislative powers. The cabinet reshuffle saw Mohammed bin Nasser al-Khasibi named commerce and industry minister, Hamoud bin Faisal al-Bousaidi as civil service minister and Madiha bint Ahmed bin Nasser as education minister. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Harthy, the outgoing civil service minister, was appointed to head the environment ministry, while Maqboul bin Ali bin Sultan will be the new transport minister and Mohsen bin Mohammed al-Sheikh becomes tourism minister. Protesters had called upon the Sultan to remove Maqbool Bin Ali Bin Sultan from the post of commerce minister as they viewed him as corrupt and inadequate for the task of running the ministry.^[16][58] The Sultan also announced benefits for the students of Higher College of Technology.^[59] The students whose homes are 100 km away from the place of study, will be now given 90 Omani rial allowances while those living at a less than 100-km distance would get 25-rial allowance. The Royal decree issued stated the reason for rise in these stipends as "to achieve further development and provide a decent living."

The Diwan of Royal Court, on the orders of the sultan, decided to set up an independent authority for consumer protection in the country. It has also been decided to study the possibility of establishing cooperative societies in the country which does not allow formation of any political parties, unions, etc. whatsoever.^[16] There are also confirmed plans to reduce the percentage contribution of civil servants in the Civil Employees Pension Fund from eight percent to seven percent of the monthly basic salary, adding to it 75 percent of the housing, electricity and water allowances.^[17]

On 28 February, Sultan Qaboos pledged to create 50,000 government jobs, provide a monthly benefit of $390 to the unemployed and ordered a committee to draft proposals for boosting the power of an elected council that advises him in state affairs.^[60] He also promised that a legislative council would be given more powers. On 5 March, Sultan Qaboos replaced two more ministers. Khaled bin Hilal bin Saud al-Busaidi replaced Sayed Ali bin Hmud al-Busaidi as a minister of the royal court and Sultan bin Mohammed al-Numani replaced General Ali bin Majid al-Maamari as minister in the sultan's office.^[37]

On 7 March, Sultan Qaboos issued eight royal decrees including, reshuffling once again the council of ministers and allowing for formation of a state audit committee. Royal Decree No 38/2011 abolished the Ministry of National Economy and states that a committee shall be formed by the Council of Ministers to manage the distribution of its prerogatives, allocations, assets and employees. The ministry had been targeted by protesters for being corrupt and inefficient.^[61] On 13 March, a royal decree was announced granting "legislative and regulatory powers" to the parliament, which had previously only been a consultative body.^[62] The next day he fired Lieutenant General Malek Bin Sulaiman Al Ma'amari as Inspector General of the Police and Customs.^[63] On 15 March, he also issued further royal decrees to add a "cost of living allowance" to all military and security apparatus as well as all government units^[vague] in Oman.^[64] The Sultan also give orders for raising the Social Insurance Pension by 100% for all the 51,442 persons registered at the Social Development Ministry.^[65] The ruling council issued a statement that condemned the "sabotage" and added that peaceful demonstrations were within "the legal rights of citizens.".^[8]

Other responses includes creating of a second public university,^[66] establishing the first Islamic bank in the region^[67] and approving Marriage Fund utility.^[68]

Apolitical

The Muscat Securities Market's main index fell 4.9 percent.^[69] Neighbouring United Arab Emirates' two main stock markets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi also fell as the instability moved to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.^[70]

The Sohar Industrial Port Company said that the local port's functions were never disrupted by more than a few hours during periods of traffic probles caused by the protests.^{[citation needed]}

International

Supranational bodies

Gulf Cooperation Council members agreed to provide Oman with an aid plan similar to the Marshall plan, consisting of $10 billion aimed at upgrading housing and infrastructure over a period of 10 years.^[71] They also agreed that they would give more preference to GCC-member state nationals while hiring individuals.^[72]

States

India – The Indian embassy in Muscat issued a notice to all citizens of India currently residing in Oman (estimated at more than 300,000) to register themselves with the embassy. It also requested them to avoid taking part in any pro-government or anti-government rallies and steer clear of any kind of trouble.^[73]

Netherlands Queen Beatrix had originally postponed a state visit to Oman amidst the crisis.^[74] The visit later went ahead but was downgraded to a private visit amidst several political parties expressing concern the royal could be seen as supportive of the sultan. Parliament will debate the matter on Tuesday.^[31]

United Kingdom – The British embassy in Oman issued a notice to all British citizens in the country to avoid visiting Sohar as the situation in the city was tense.^[75]

United States of America – The U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters the U.S. encouraged the government of Oman to show restraint and resolve differences through dialogue. "We have been in touch with the government and encouraged restraint and to resolve differences through dialogue. We are encouraged by the recent steps toward reform taken by the government of Oman, and we strongly encourage the government to continue to implement reforms that increase economic opportunity and move toward greater inclusion and participation in the political process."^[76]

NGOs

Amnesty International has requested and urged the Omani government to show restraint while dealing with protesters.^[77]

External links

• Sultan Qaboos bin Said: Oman's Renaissance Man

See also

• Dhofar Rebellion
• World unemployment rates
• Corruption Perceptions Index
• Freedom in the World

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