By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has collectively elected Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the new president of the country.
The council, which is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE, took the action on Saturday, following the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
UAE’s Ministry of Presidential Affairs had on Friday announced the death of Khalifa, who had been the country’s president since November 2004.
According to Emirates News Agency, the decision to elect Mohammed was based on Article 51 of the country’s constitution.
“The Federal Supreme Council, today, May 14, 2022, unanimously elected His Highness, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as president of the United Arab Emirates.
“The council held a meeting today, May 14, 2022, at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi, headed by His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,” it said.
Mohamed is the third president of the UAE since the formation of the union in 1971.
Mohamed was born on March 11, 1961. He became the crown prince of Abu Dhabi in November 2004.
He assumed the role of acting president in 2014, controlling almost every aspect of UAE policymaking after the late Khalifa suffered a stroke and had a surgical operation.
