A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
Attempts to invite foreign influence into civil matters damage the country’s interests, President Abdulla Yameen said Tuesday, as he criticised the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party. Yameen was speaking in Thulhaadhoo island, Baa atoll, as the last destination of an eight-island tour that kicked off Sunday. “Haven’t we seen the foreign minister of the MDP […]
President Abdulla Yameen has criticized diplomats for speaking about foreign policy issues in the islands, after authorities banned councils from meeting envoys without prior written permission. He said foreign policy should be discussed with the government but denied accusations his administration did not not respect diplomats, saying there were rules they needed to adhere to. […]
India is the Maldives closest ally and friend, President Abdulla Yameen said Sunday, appealing for restraint towards its regional neighbour. The president, who is island hopping around the north inaugurating projects, made the remarks days after a hostile editorial was removed from a pro-government website. The Vaguthu article had blasted India, saying it was not […]
President Abdulla Yameen cut ribbons for new harbours on three northern islands Sunday at the start of a tour of the Noonu, Lhaviyani and Baa atolls. On Noonu Maalhendhoo, Yameen opened a new mosque donated by Saudi Arabia and a harbour built with assistance from the Islamic Development Bank. He went on to attend a groundbreaking ceremony […]
Britain’s ambassador to the Maldives has said he is worried about the erosion of freedoms in the Indian Ocean archipelago. James Dauris, in a carefully worded New Year message, said he had become fond of the country since taking up his appointment. He highlighted the successful collaboration between the two nations on education, women’s issues […]
India has scotched rumours of a rift with the Maldives, saying the two countries enjoyed a close relationship with shared development and security interests. External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar made the remarks Thursday after a scathing anti-India editorial appeared on a Maldivian pro-government website. The main opposition MDP, which condemned the editorial, described Vaguthu as […]
The Maldivian people want to restore democracy with a national unity government at the helm, Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim tweeted from exile Wednesday. After meeting with former MDP chairman Ali Waheed, former vice president Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, and JP deputy leader Ameen Ibrahim in Germany, the business tycoon and disqualified lawmaker tweeted: “The […]
An editorial attacking India and branding its prime minister a “Hindu extremist” has been pulled from a pro-government website. The Vaguthu article blasted India, saying it was not a best friend but an enemy and that it viewed the Maldives with “envy, self-interest and hostility.” It provoked condemnation from two former presidents, Mohamed Nasheed and […]
The US$200 million China-Maldives Friendship bridge will be completed in the first week of July, a government minister has said. The bridge will span from the capital Malé’s eastern edge to the western corner of the island of Hulhulé. Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muiz said the project was on schedule. Just completed a comprehensive progress […]