UAE president names son Abu Dhabi crown prince, brothers to top leadership roles

In a series of major appointments, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has named his eldest son Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed as the crown prince of the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi and his brothers to top leadership positions, state media reported Wednesday.

Following the death of his brother Sheikh Khalifa on 13 May 2022, Sheikh Mohamed – also known by his initials as MBZ – became the ruler of Abu Dhabi and the president of the Emirates the next day. Abu Dhabi has held the presidency since the founding of the UAE federation by Sheikh Mohamed’s father roughly five decades back.

The president also appointed his brother Sheikh Mansour, also the owner of the British football Club Manchester City, as the vice president alongside Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

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The appointment of Sheikh Khaled as crown prince further centralises power in Abu Dhabi, the richest in the seven emirates, in addition to reflecting a growing tendency among the majority of Gulf Arab monarchies towards sons over brothers for succession, including in Saudi Arabia.

Along with the recent appointment of Sheikh Mansour, the Emirati president also named his other brothers Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed – Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council – and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed – National Security Adviser – as deputy rulers of Abu Dhabi.

The UAE, with a population of fewer than 10 million people, is known for its political and economic stability. In addition to sheltering scores of expatriate workers who potentially make up the majority of the workforce, it also has one of the highest per-capita income levels in the world.