Oman’s revelation on Saturday that it plans to withdraw from the Gulf Cooperation Council if it turns into a union came as a surprise to many in the region, but it highlights deep divisions within the six-member body that may not be confined to Oman alone.
The publicising of such divisions, as was done by Omani Foreign Minister Yousuf Bin Alawi are surely an embarrassment for the GCC, and they prompt the question of how much consultation there is within the regional bloc.
If a Gulf Union is imposed on member states by one or two states, it is not likely to be much more effective in reaching its goals than the GCC has been so far.
Oman’s revelation presents an opportunity for Gulf states to re-assess their priorities in Kuwait during the annual GCC summit on Tuesday and engage in deep, collective self-reflection. What is it that the GCC wants for itself, and what are the regional, domestic and global issues it agrees on?
It is time for the Gulf states to realistically ask themselves whether they are indeed prepared to forego partial sovereignty and form a union of states that differ on some of the most fundamental issues, from economic policy to foreign policy and domestic policy. Are Gulf states prepared to join hands with other member states whose political systems differ so drastically from their own?
Perhaps most importantly, the GCC states need to consult their own people before embarking on such a major transformation. Advocates of the union have said time and again that the people of the region will benefit from such an arrangement, yet few have taken their campaigns to the people in an effort to sell their plans.
It is imperative on the regional body to take the debate to the public and raise awareness. Once the Gulf states have the people’s mandate, few will be able to argue against such a move.
