DUBAI, UAE – United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has appointed his eldest son Sheikh Khaled as crown prince of Abu Dhabi, the oil-rich capital of the Gulf state, and named his brothers to high roles, state media stated on Wednesday.
Sheikh Mohammed, who grew to become president and Abu Dhabi ruler final yr after working the US-allied OPEC oil producer for years, named his brother Sheikh Mansour as UAE vice chairman, alongside Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
This appeared to additional centralize energy in Abu Dhabi, which is the political capital by advantage of its immense oil wealth, of the UAE federation of seven emirates. Dubai is the Gulf’s business and tourism hub.
Sheikh Mohammed appointed his different brothers Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s nationwide safety adviser who controls a sprawling business empire, and Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan as deputy rulers of Abu Dhabi.
By appointing distinguished brothers to new roles, he saved “some power-sharing balance, but only within (Abu Dhabi’s) Al Nahyan clan,” Cinzia Bianco, analysis fellow on the European Council on Foreign Relations, stated on Twitter.
The alternative of Sheikh Khaled as crown prince displays a pattern throughout most Gulf Arab monarchies in direction of direct lineage – sons over brothers – for succession, together with in Saudi Arabia.
Abu Dhabi has held the presidency for the reason that founding of the UAE federation by Sheikh Mohammed’s father in 1971.
Sheikh Mohammed, often called MbZ, had been grooming his son in positions of authority in safety – together with intelligence – economic system and governance, analysts say.
MbZ was de facto ruler for years earlier than assuming energy following the dying of his brother final May, at a time when the UAE’s longstanding ties with the United States had been strained over perceived US disengagement from the area.
He led a realignment of the Middle East when the UAE, with Bahrain, solid ties with Israel in 2020 to create a brand new anti-Iran axis within the area, whereas nonetheless participating with Tehran to comprise tensions with an eye fixed on financial priorities.
The UAE has additionally deepened ties with Russia and China.
The nation of fewer than 10 million folks prides itself on its political and financial stability. It has one of many world’s highest per-capita revenue ranges and is house to hundreds of thousands of expatriate employees who make up the majority of the workforce.
In a separate decree on Wednesday, MbZ named Sheikh Khaled as head of Abu Dhabi’s govt council, the newest reshuffle at key entities within the emirate, one of many world’s wealthiest state traders.
Earlier this month, Sheikh Tahnoun was named chair of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, among the many world’s largest sovereign wealth funds. Sheikh Mansour was named chairman of Mubadala, Abu Dhabi’s second-biggest sovereign wealth fund. — Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
