This thesis explores from a theoretical border studies perspective the political dynamics of the construction of a fence along the Omani Yemeni border initiated in 2013. Drawing on the concept of the nation as an imagined community, I argue that the construction of a border fence reveals the increased identity politics the Omani state, embodied by Sultan Qabus, engages in since the uprisings in 2011-2012 that marked a shift in Omani state-society relations. These relations are unpacked through exploring Qabus’ pre-2011 state- and nation- building efforts and two Omanization channels characterizing the post-2011 period. Through reinforcing the symbolic and physical boundaries of the nation and the territory it is associated with, Qabus enforces a fixed set of characteristics on his subjects, promoted in a national identity narrative, in order to instill loyalty to his authority. This thesis thus sheds light on the issue of increased oppression within the Sultanate, which has gone largely unnoticed among academics and the international community due to the strongly promoted Omani reputation of a stable beacon within a volatile region. This research is conducted from a political-anthropological angle, exploring the political dynamics embedded in the socio- cultural context of Oman. It draws on existing literature from political science, history and the anthropological discipline, popular media reports and official government websites, documents and NGO reports. Keywords: Identity politics, identity narrative, Omanization, state-society relations

This thesis explores from a theoretical border studies perspective the political dynamics of the construction of a fence along the Omani Yemeni border initiated in 2013. Drawing on the concept of the nation as an imagined community, I argue that the construction of a border fence reveals the increas...