UAE president’s brother dies years after Mohammed bin Zayed sidelined him
Sultan bin Zayed, the second son of UAE founder Zayed Al Nahyan, died on Monday night without giving any official information on the cause of his death.
UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed mourned his brother Sultan.
His half-brother Sultan is the current president of the UAE, while his half-brother Mohammed is the current crown prince of Abu Dhabi and the de facto ruler of the state.
Born in 1955, he held senior official positions in the country before being gradually sidelined since the rise of Mohammed bin Zayed.
In 1974, Sultan was appointed Deputy Commander of the Abu Dhabi Defense Forces. In 1976, he was appointed Commander of the Western Military Region, before he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in 1978. In 1988, he became Head of the Public Works Department in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
In 1990, Sheikh Sultan was appointed Deputy Prime Minister, where the Emir of Dubai has traditionally held the post of Prime Minister and served for seven years. Later, Mohammed bin Zayed stripped him of all important official posts.
Mohammed bin Zayed continues to strengthen his grip on power by increasing the influence of those close to him while marginalizing his half-brothers and older brothers like Sultan.
In the forefront of those close to Mohammed bin Zayed, his sons Khalid and Dhiab. Khalid was appointed head of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office and previously held the positions of head of the State Security and Deputy National Security Adviser. Dhiab was appointed head of the Crown Prince’s Court after the removal of his uncle Hamid.
Mohammed bin Zayed brings together several positions and controls the political and military spheres. He concentrates power in five close associates: Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tahnoun bin Zayed, the current national security advisor, Mansour bin Zayed, holder of the family’s portfolio, and Saif bin Zayed, deputy prime minister and minister. Interior.
The 58-year-old is among the richest in the world with a fortune of $1.3 trillion, more than some countries have.
The net worth of the Al Nahyan family in the UAE is estimated at $150 billion. Bin Zayed has effectively run the UAE for years following the illness of his brother Khalifa bin Zayed.
It also controls the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the world’s second-largest wealth fund, which has assets of about $773 billion and controls 6% of the world’s oil.
Since Mohammed bin Zayed came to power, the man has the trust of the United States of America and has close relations with Russia and Israel, which is calling him a close ally.
