Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Successor: Who is the next king of UAE?

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the President of the United Arab Emirates, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, and the supreme commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces from 2004 to 2022.

Sheikh Khalifa was also the Chairman of the Supreme Petroleum Council from the late 1980s.

As the crown prince, Sheikh Khalifa carried out some aspects of the presidency in a de facto capacity from the late 1990s when his father Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan faced health problems.

Sheikh Khalifa succeeded his father as the emir of Abu Dhabi on 2 November 2004 and the presidency of the United Arab Emirates the following day.

Sheikh Khalifa passed way on Friday, May 13, 2022 aged 73, eighteen years after succeeding his father.

Sheikh Khalifa’s death has led to interest in getting to know who his successor will be.

Who is the next king of UAE?

Sheikh Kahlifa is likely to be replaced by his half-brother, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, who is seen as the UAE’s de facto ruler.

Mohammed bin Zayed is seen as UAE’s de facto ruler because in 2004, Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke which led to him assuming a lower profile in state affairs but retained ceremonial presidential powers.

Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan carried out public affairs of the state and day-to-day decision-making of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan colloquially known by his initials as MBZ, is the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces.

MBZ is seen as the driving force behind the UAE’s interventionist foreign policy and is a leader of a campaign against Islamist movements in the Arab world.

However, as at the time of writing, an immediate announcement about the successor has not been announced.