Sheikh Khalifa Death Cause: The President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Khalifa Al-Nahyan, died on May 13, 2022, Friday, at the age of 73. His death has shocked the world. The media of the state has commented on Al-Nahyan’s cause of death.
Per reports, the late president suffered from illness for the last couple of years. He had rarely made a public appearance. After Khalifa’s death, there have been rumours and speculations on who will be the next president of the oil-rich Gulf state.
Unconfirmed sources say that Sheikh is expected to be replaced by his half-brother, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed. Being a crown prince, he was already accepted as the UAE’s de facto ruler.
The official WAM news agency said that the government, citizens, and Arab and Islamic nations have been mourning the death of the current UAE President – Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
The government has decided the nation will mourn him for 40 days, flags will be at half-mast position, and the first days will be non-working for the public and private sectors.
Sheikh Khalifa was the second president of the UAE. In 2004, he took the position after his father. Khalifa became the 16th ruler of Abu Dhabi, which is the richest of the federation’s seven emirates.
Since 2014, he has made rare public appearances. In 2014, he had undergone heart surgery following a stroke. But, he kept on issuing rulings during his time as the president. There was no immediate comment on Sheikh Khalifa’s cause of death.
The UAE was a former colony of the British. It was founded in 1971. Since then, it has become a booming state from being just a desert. The UAE has gained enormous oil wealth in its short history, and Dubai has become a trading and financial centre.
The UAE is just behind the world’s biggest economy, Saudi Arabia. Its political influence has been increasing over the world. It has a population of just 10 million and joined hands for military campaigns in Libya and Yemen. Also, it went against most of the Arab world to strengthen relations with Israel in 2020.
After the surgery, the bearded Sheikh avoided occasional public appearances while the crown prince Zayed continued to host world leaders and diplomats in his absence. Mohammed Zayed said that the Emirates has lost its virtuous son and leader.
The crown prince said that the nation is proof of Khalifa’s stances, achievements, wisdom, generosity, and initiatives. He also wished the god to allow his half-brother to paradise.
The Chief Minister of the Indian state of Kerala also tweeted and gave condolences upon the death of the UAE President. Vijayan said that the untimely death of Sheikh Khalifa saddens everyone, and he was a visionary leader who played a crucial role in modernizing the Emirates.
Though Sheikh Khalifa didn’t have any formal higher education, he led his nation to become one of the top leaders in the trade and tourism industry. Under his leadership, Abu Dhabi became a key OPEC player.
In 2009, during the global financial crisis, he gave his support in the form of multi-billion dollars to rescue Dubai from debt.
As of now, there has been no immediate announcement regarding the successor of the UAE. Until the rulers of the seven emirates elect a new president, vice-president Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum will be the acting president. The federation council is expected to meet within 30 days and select a new president.
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