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Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)shook up the country’s top ranks on Wednesday, appointing his eldest son and brother to top leadership positions.
The president’s eldest son, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has been named crown prince in the country’s capital Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi It is the wealthiest of the seven emirates in the country. The position has traditionally indicated who is next for the presidency.
Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, owner of English football club Manchester City, named vice president of oil-rich country Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai.
What does this move mean?
Sheikh Khalid’s appointment further centralizes power in Abu Dhabi, which has served as the country’s president since the founding of the UAE in 1971.
It also reflects the trend of inheriting patriarchy over women, similar to other Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia.
Cinzia Bianco, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said Sheikh Mohammed had maintained “some power-sharing balance, but only within the (Abu Dhabi) Al Nahyan family” by appointing prominent brothers to new positions.
Sheikh Mohammed, also known as MBZ, was named president last year after the death of his half-brother Sheikh Khalifa, despite being the de facto ruler of the UAE for years during the latter’s illness.
fb/sri (AFP, AP)
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