Author

Mohamed Saif Fathih

Saif Fathih is a columnist at the Maldives Independent and a serving member of the Malé City Council for Galolhu North. With his educational background in communications, international studies and public policy, he previously worked as a journalist, editor and public policy advisor, with roles including senior policy director at the ministry of national planning and editor of Ocean Weekly Magazine. Saif began his career as a radio producer and presenter at Minivan Radio, writer for Minivan Daily, and translator for the British High Commission and the European Union Mission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. He is also the host of Ithuru Vaahaka, the Maldives Independent podcast.

127 articles
"No coincidences": Suood on the unfreezing of the Supreme Court

"No coincidences": Suood on the unfreezing of the Supreme Court

Former justice says stalled cases moved on a political timeline, not by chance.

27 Apr, 16:48

Reform or remorse? The president’s new policy on state hiring

Reform or remorse? The president’s new policy on state hiring

Is a pledge to end political patronage encouraging, or incriminating?

21 Apr, 16:20

Episode 20: Constitutional reform, the courts and the referendum

Episode 20: Constitutional reform, the courts and the referendum

Husnu Suood’s first interview since resigning from the Supreme Court.

18 Apr, 16:30

Artwork: Dosain

Trouble for Muizzu – provided MDP keeps it together

A decisive win followed by a familiar unravelling.

13 Apr, 17:00

Episode 19: Malé mayoral candidates – Abdulla Mahzoom Majid

Episode 19: Malé mayoral candidates – Abdulla Mahzoom Majid

The MDA candidate discusses housing, transport and his vision for Malé.

02 Apr, 16:55

Episode 18: Malé mayoral candidates – Adam Azim

Episode 18: Malé mayoral candidates – Adam Azim

Incumbent mayor Adam Azim discusses his record, priorities and governance.

28 Mar, 15:56

Artwork: Dosain

Too late to lament: Solih's botched police reform

Farhad Fikury is back because Solih's government let him stay.

16 Mar, 13:58

Episode 17: Malé mayoral candidates – Ismail Zariyand

Episode 17: Malé mayoral candidates – Ismail Zariyand

Candidate number two addresses his ties with former President Yameen.

14 Mar, 15:30

Episode 16: Malé mayoral candidates – Aiham Ahmed

Episode 16: Malé mayoral candidates – Aiham Ahmed

The 27-year-old discusses traffic, housing and criticism of his youth.

07 Mar, 15:30

Episode 15: The referendum on combining elections

Episode 15: The referendum on combining elections

MDP MP Meekail on rejecting concurrent elections.

21 Feb, 14:00

Broken by design: Malé City Council has stopped functioning

Broken by design: Malé City Council has stopped functioning

The PNC's 14-seat supermajority cannot find 10 members for a meeting.

19 Feb, 16:00

Episode 14: Suspended without pay – when decentralisation becomes punishment

Episode 14: Suspended without pay – when decentralisation becomes punishment

Suspended without pay, Hoarafushi Council President Mohamed Waheed reflects on due process, accountability, and decentralised governance.

13 Dec 2025, 16:05

Not just flowers and photo-ops: what Malé needs from its mayor

Not just flowers and photo-ops: what Malé needs from its mayor

Mayor Adam Azim is campaigning for a second term, but what does it take to lead the country’s capital?

02 Dec 2025, 16:51

Public plots for garbage collection: Malé's land giveaway exposed

Public plots for garbage collection: Malé's land giveaway exposed

President Muizzu handed out Malé's land almost for free.

23 Nov 2025, 13:24

More than a line on an ID card: the permanent address dilemma

More than a line on an ID card: the permanent address dilemma

Solving one injustice could create another.

06 Nov 2025, 17:15

Episode 13: Breaking up Addu – what's at stake in the referendum

Episode 13: Breaking up Addu – what's at stake in the referendum

Ahead of tomorrow’s referendum, Addu leaders are divided over whether the atoll should remain a city or return to individual island councils.

24 Oct 2025, 15:45

Artwork: Dosain

When is democracy undemocratic? Addu's referendum and the autonomy dilemma

Does local autonomy trump collective will?

22 Oct 2025, 17:29

Artwork: Dosain

Beyond rhetoric: four reforms that would genuinely strengthen local governance

City councillors earn MVR 35,000 with no defined duties.

15 Oct 2025, 16:05

Artwork: Dosain

Episode 12: Shiman's lawyer recounts procedural chaos after private photo leak

The opposition activist's photo was leaked hours after police seized her phone.

13 Oct 2025, 14:16

Artwork: Dosain

Isolate and manipulate: abolishing atoll councils fragments collective power

One island rewarded, another punished for dissent.

08 Oct 2025, 15:20

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