Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Prime Minister
Timeline
Born on 21 October.
Graduated from American University; appointed vice-chair of the board of trustees at the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research.
Graduated from the University of Cambridge.
Sworn in as Crown Prince; became Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force.
Appointed Deputy Supreme Commander on the Armed Forces.
Empowered to lead negotiations with the opposition during the Bahraini uprising.
Appointed First Deputy Prime Minister; appointed chair of the Supreme Committee for Natural Resources and Economic Security.
Appointed Prime Minister of Bahrain.
Biography
Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, born on 21 October 1969, is the Crown Prince of Bahrain since 1999 and the Prime Minister of Bahrain since 2020. He is the eldest son of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Prior to his current roles, he served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force from 1999 to 2008 and held various other significant positions, including First Deputy Prime Minister. Known as a reformist, he led negotiations with the opposition during the 2011 Bahraini uprising.
Early Life & Background
Born on 21 October 1969, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is the eldest son of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Princess Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. After his father, Hamad, became Emir of Bahrain, Salman was sworn in as Crown Prince on 9 March 1999. His early life included education in Bahrain before pursuing higher studies abroad.
Education
Salman was educated in Bahrain. He graduated from American University with a bachelor of arts in public administration in 1992. He then earned a master's degree in philosophy and history from the University of Cambridge in 1994.
Political & Professional Career
Salman's career began in 1992 as vice-chair of the board of trustees at the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research, becoming chair from 1995 to 1999. He was sworn in as Crown Prince on 9 March 1999 and became Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force on 22 March 1999, holding the position until 2008 when he was appointed Deputy Supreme Commander on the Armed Forces. He chaired the Bahrain Economic Development Board from 2002 and the Supreme Committee for Natural Resources and Economic Security from 2013. In March 2013, he was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister. He was appointed Prime Minister of Bahrain on 11 November 2020, following the death of Khalifa bin Salman. During the 2011 Bahraini uprising, he was empowered to lead negotiations with the main opposition group.
Key Achievements & Legacy
Became Crown Prince of Bahrain in 1999., Served as Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force from 1999 to 2008., Chaired the Bahrain Economic Development Board, responsible for developing Bahrain's economy., Led negotiations with the opposition during the 2011 Bahraini uprising, proposing a plan for political reform., Appointed Prime Minister of Bahrain in 2020.