State media announced on Wednesday that Sheikh Khaled, the eldest son of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has been named as the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the oil-rich Gulf nation.
Sheikh Mohammed has also appointed his brothers to top positions, further centralizing power in Abu Dhabi. His brother Sheikh Mansour was named UAE vice president, alongside Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, while Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan were appointed deputy rulers of Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Mohammed has been grooming his son for years, placing him in positions of authority in security, economy, and governance. The appointment of Sheikh Khaled as crown prince reflects a trend towards direct lineage in most Gulf Arab monarchies.
The UAE, with Abu Dhabi as its political capital, has held the presidency since its founding in 1971. The country is known for its political and economic stability, high per-capita income levels, and a large expatriate workforce.
Recently, Abu Dhabi has undergone several reshuffles, including Sheikh Tahnoun’s appointment as chair of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Sheikh Mansour’s appointment as chairman of Mubadala.
