UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has carried out a reshuffle in the country’s leadership, announced Wednesday night by state media. One of the major changes was the appointment of his eldest son, Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed, as crown prince of Abu Dhabi, making him the future leader of the oil federation.
This appointment follows the tradition in which the ruler of Abu Dhabi, the capital and emirate with the largest oil reserves in the federation, is the head of the federal state. Therefore, the new crown prince, Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed, 41, will become the next president of the United Arab Emirates.
In addition, the president’s brother, Sheikh Mansur Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has also been appointed vice president of the Gulf country and will serve jointly with the ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the federation, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rached Al Maktoum. Sheikh Mansur is known as the owner of the British soccer club Manchester City.
This change in the country’s leadership has been welcomed by the leaders of Gulf countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The appointment of Sheikh Khaled as crown prince ensures continuity of leadership in one of the world’s most influential and wealthiest nations, especially in the energy field.
Notably, current leader Mohamed Bin Zayed, often referred to as “MBZ,” became president of the UAE and leader of Abu Dhabi following the death of his half-brother Sheikh Khalifa in May 2022. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to consolidate his leadership and position in the country and region.