The appointment of Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, son of the President of the Emirates, to the position of Crown Prince of the influential Emirate of Abu Dhabi opens the way for the young politician to assume leadership of the wealthy Gulf state in the future.
His appointment came within the framework of a series of political changes, the most prominent in the era of the president of the oil country, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, since he assumed office in May 2022, following the death of his brother, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The government news agency, WAM, said in a tweet on Twitter, “In his capacity as the ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the President of the State issues an Emiri Decree appointing Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed as Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed used to hold this position himself before he became president.
His assumption of the presidency last year sparked speculation about who would succeed him as Abu Dhabi’s crown prince.
Gulf expert Bader Al-Saif, assistant professor of history at Kuwait University, wrote on Twitter, “This step was expected (…) as it follows the model (…) elsewhere in the Gulf.”
He added that the appointment “provides more stability and a smoother succession,” considering that “the consolidation of power between Mohammed bin Zayed’s brothers is no secret. The decrees confirm this.”
And Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed had decided, according to the Emirates News Agency, to appoint his brother, Mansour bin Zayed, as Vice President of the State alongside the rulers of Dubai and the Prime Minister of the Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Sheikh Mansour holds the position of Deputy Prime Minister and is the owner of the English football club Manchester City.
He also issued two Emiri decrees appointing his two brothers, Hazza bin Zayed and Tahnoun bin Zayed, as deputy rulers of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
In addition to the position of National Security Adviser, Sheikh Tahnoun holds several positions in the oil-rich country, including chairing the board of directors of its sovereign fund, and he was recently behind the UAE’s campaign to reform its relations with Qatar, Turkey and Iran.
Prepare to drive
The UAE, one of the world’s largest oil producers and an ally of the United States, Russia and China alike, has become a major power in the Middle East with the decline of traditional centers of gravity such as Egypt and Iraq in recent years.
Other Gulf rulers have welcomed Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed’s appointment, including those in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as the leaders of the UAE’s six other emirates.
Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed (41 years) held the position of member of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and head of the Executive Office of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. He is a member of the board of directors of the state oil giant ADNOC.
He has been closely involved in youth and environmental projects in addition to sports, promoting jiu-jitsu and helping bring NBA games to the UAE capital.
Emirati political science professor Abdul Khaleq Abdullah told AFP that Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed had already represented his father on foreign trips as part of his preparations to take over the leadership.
He said that while he would work directly with his 62-year-old father, who is still in the early stages of his presidency, he had plenty of time to learn.
He continued, “He was being prepared for this position. Everyone who watched him closely over the years knows that he is ready for it and is fit for the job,” adding, “He has gained the trust of his father. He deals easily with people (…) which is very important.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has always been seen as the country’s strongman and de facto ruler, who has been behind its diplomatic rise for years, even before he assumed the presidency.
Sheikh Mohammed became crown prince in November 2004, and he is the third son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the Emirates. He also held the position of Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.