1. Summary: Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS) is on the fast track to succeeding his father as King. JaFaJ has learned that the proposed date for his appointment has been “pulled closer to the originally set date of Eid Adha,” the Muslim holiday celebrating the conclusion of Hajj. JaFaJ has also confirmed MBS is considering his cousin, Abdelaziz Bin Ahmed Bin Abdelaziz for the position of Crown Prince. If Abdelaziz gets the job, this will signify the unity and resilience of the Saudi Royal Family.
2. JaFaJ has learned from top sources in Saudi Arabia that Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS) is “very close to becoming King”. The sources noted that King Salman is “eager to retire and make way for the younger generation to lead”. [COMMENT: For more details on MBS roadway to succeeding his father, see JaFaJ report dated May 8th, 2022 https://www.jafaj.net/king-of-saudi-arabia-plans-to-step-down-and-appoint-mbs-king/ END COMMENT]
3. JaFaJ can confirm the proposed date for the declaration of MBS succession was originally slated for the “Eid Adha Muslim holiday” which marks the conclusion of Hajj. “The king wants this done fast, the country needs MBS to take over, the situation in Ukraine will sooner or later filter into the Arab region and the Kingdom has to be ready for any potential political earthquakes hitting the region”, one major source reported. He explained: “The king is old but not sick, he has had a recent check-up and I can assure you he is rather healthy for his age, this is about the future of this country and not any concerns over the king’s health”.
4. A well-informed source in the Arabian Gulf reported MBS was considering his cousin, Prince Abdelaziz Bin Ahmad Bin Abdelaziz, to serve as his Crown Prince. MBS’s male children are too young to take the job. Nonetheless, this is not the only reason MBS may choose Abdelaziz as his Crown Prince. This move will slam shut all rumours of an “alleged rivalry between him and his uncle, Abdelaziz’s father, Ahmad.” Having once criticized MBS policies in Yemen, Prince Ahmad has been rumoured as an antagonist to his nephew, MBS. Several Saudi opposition activists have built wild conspiracy theories for years about this. The appointment of Ahmad’s son as Crown Prince will serve as proof of the Saud family’s unity and resilience.
5.JaFaJ has learned that the appointment of Abdelaziz is still an issue of consideration and deliberation, therefore it is not a done deal. If appointed, the business oriented Abdelaziz is no political match for MBS. An American source who is remarkably close to the Saudi Royal Family described him as “Polite, down to earth, and very business-obsessed. He could be a perfect CEO, I’ve never known him to care for politics”. A Saudi source continued by saying, “What His Royal Highness needs is a trusted family member who would support his vision during tough times in the Middle East. The Crown Prince is young, and Prince Abdelaziz is almost 60 years old, and he knows that he will never succeed MBS, as such, if he becomes the Crown Prince, he knows that his job will be to facilitate HRH, MBS”.
6. Abdelaziz’s mother is from the Al-Sudairi family, one of the most prominent families in the Central Saudi Arabia region of Najd. The family is connected to the Saud family. Abdelaziz Ibn Saudi, the kingdom’s founder had seven male children from an Al-Sudairi woman, many of whom have become kings. Therefore, if appointed Crown Prince, Abdelaziz will signify the unity and harmony between the Al-Sudairi-connected branch within the Royal Family and the non-Al-Sudairi connected branch to whom King Salman and his son belong.
7. Conclusion: There is no longer any doubt that MBS is going to succeed his father in the near future. MBS has proven himself as both a survivor and a fine administrator who has effectively modernized the country and eliminated his enemies”. Despite speculation by many across the region, nothing in sight seems to be able to hinder or disrupt MBS succession to the throne. The potential appointment of his cousin, Abdelaziz Bin Ahmed Bin Abdelaziz as Crown Prince, will likely bring harmony to the family and continued economic success to the nation.