Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’ president and ruler of oil-rich Abu Dhabi since 2004, has died aged 73, together with his highly effective brother set to change into the Gulf state’s subsequent chief.
Sheikh Khalifa, who presided over the UAE’s fast financial transformation, had retired from public life after struggling a stroke in 2014. He had handed over decision-making to his half-brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Abu Dhabi’s highly effective crown prince. Sheikh Mohammed is poised to change into the following president.
“The UAE has misplaced its righteous son and chief of the ‘empowerment part’ and guardian of its blessed journey,” Sheikh Mohammed stated on Twitter.
The son of the UAE’s founding president Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Khalifa was “recognized for his modest model and beneficiant, first rate nature,” stated Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a political-science professor. “And due to his succesful crown prince, the nation was not at a loss when he needed to step again with sickness. The de facto chief now turns into the de jure chief.”
Sheikh Mohammed’s full management over political and financial affairs removes any questions on coverage route throughout the succession interval. Beneath Sheikh Mohammed’s management, the UAE has change into a extra distinguished geopolitical participant within the Center East, intervening in an effort to examine the rise of Islamism and plug a perceived hole in US dedication to the Center East. The Gulf monarchy has additionally change into a number one international investor whereas constructing home trade and monetary companies because it seeks to diversify away from hydrocarbons.
His ascent to the positions of ruler of Abu Dhabi after which president of the UAE creates a gap for a brand new crown prince. It’s unclear whether or not he’ll observe custom and select a brother or, as many imagine, decide his eldest son for the position.
The UAE gained independence from the UK in 1971. In its early days as a sovereign state, Sheikh Khalifa was put in control of Abu Dhabi’s growth. His eponymous committee granted loans to nationals who needed to construct towers for the rising variety of companies and expatriates looking for to capitalise on the oil increase.
The transfer helped broaden wealth throughout key households within the emirate, whose nationals are actually a number of the world’s richest. The legacy of this era is seen in downtown Abu Dhabi, developed as a Manhattan-style matrix of streets lined with skyscrapers.
Within the Nineteen Nineties, as his father’s well being declined, Sheikh Khalifa acted as efficient president. Throughout that interval, the energetic Sheikh Mohammed emerged together with his 5 full brothers because the main power throughout the authorities. The grouping contains nationwide safety adviser Sheikh Tahnoon, Manchester Metropolis proprietor Sheikh Mansour and the overseas minister, Sheikh Abdullah.
When Sheikh Khalifa took over from his father, Abu Dhabi launched a big funding and actual property growth programme led by his brother that remodeled the capital because it sought to match the worldwide ambitions of neighbouring Dubai. Over time, Sheikh Mohammed turned the go-to man for diplomats and enterprise figures.
Observers stated Sheikh Khalifa was blissful to cede this outward-facing position to his extra partaking and forceful brother. However Sheikh Khalifa nonetheless acted as a restraint on Sheikh Mohammed’s rising autonomy. Cautious of Abu Dhabi’s sudden breakneck growth, Sheikh Khalifa retained the ultimate say on oil coverage and public spending.
When the UAE’s second emirate of Dubai teetered on the verge of chapter after the true property crash of 2008, the city-state solely averted a sovereign default by requesting bailout loans of greater than $20bn underwritten by the capital.
Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, renamed the world’s tallest tower from Burj Dubai to Burj Khalifa on its opening in 2010. The tribute was interpreted as a recognition of Sheikh Khalifa’s assist for Dubai in its hour of want.
The ministry of presidential affairs has introduced a 40-day mourning interval, with flags raised at half-mast and three days’ closure for presidency entities and the non-public sector.
