São Paulo – The Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported the death of prime minister prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa this Wednesday (11). He had been in power since the 1970s, when he became known for spearheading the country’s modernization.
The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a note of condolences on the passing of Al Khalifa, stressing that he played a key role in cementing the country’s sovereignty and prosperity, having served as prime minister since Bahrain’s independence in 1971. “Brazil-Bahrein relations are at one of their best moments, with heightening political rapport and the creation of new fronts of cooperation, based on the shared commitment to peace and prosperity,” the note reads.
Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, who presides over the Foreign Relations and National Defense Commission of the Federal Chamber of Deputies, also expressed sympathy towards the government and the people of Bahrain. He paid a visit to the Embassy of Bahrain, where he was welcomed by diplomat Bader Abbas Al-Hulaibi, and signed the book of condolences. Eduardo reportedly said the prime minister was a major champion of Bahrain’s independence and of its political and religious plurality.
The prime minister died in a clinic in the United States, and the BNA reported that a family-only wake will take place once the body has been repatriated. The country will observe a week’s mourning, and ministries and government departments will be closed for three days as of Thursday (12).
Al Khalifa chaired Bahrain’s State Council, later renamed as the Cabinet, during an administrative overhaul that saw the country modernize and create different ministries. Since then, the prince championed a developmental drive. The 1980s and 1990s saw him chair oil industry and economic development councils.
Al Khalifa won international awards including the da UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour, in 2007, for his “inspirational efforts in poverty alleviation through the provision of housing and welfare support for the poor and a commitment to participatory urban governance.” He also created the HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Award for Sustainable Development.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
