2010-2019 | Backing dictatorships | Oman

Minister praises Oman’s tyrant, Sultan Qaboos, as a ‘visonary’

Gavin Williamson (Chris McAndrew – CC BY 3.0 – via Wikimedia)
and Sultan Qaboos (US Department of State – via Wikimedia.)

21 February 2019

On 21 February 2019, Gavin Williamson praised the dictator of Oman, Sultan Qaboos, as a ‘visionary’, who’s ‘statesmanship’ and ‘wisdom’ were ‘recognised around the world.’ On the same day, the UK and Oman signed a joint defence agreement, undescoring Britian’s uncompromising support for the authoritarian government which deals harshly with any dissent. Kafan al-Badwawi, an Omani dissident, asked for his opinion by the Morning Star, commented that ‘Britain’s military is complicit in the brutal repression of people in the Gulf’ and was there to ensure that the profits of Shell and BP oil operations in Oman ‘flows straight to the City of London.’12

FOOTNOTE

  1. ‘Oman plays a critical role in regional peace, stability: UK Defence Secretary,’ The Times of Oman, 24 February 2019 accessed online at pressreader.com and Phil Miller, ‘Williamson accused of fuelling repression in the Gulf after signing “defence” agreement with Oman,’ The Morning Star, 21 February 2019 accessed online at url https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/williamson-accused-of-fuelling-repression-in-the-gulf-after-signing-defence-agreement-with-oman

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