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.

122 articles

Episode 18: Malé mayoral candidates – Adam Azim

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

28 Mar, 15:56

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

Candidate number two addresses his ties with former President Yameen.

14 Mar, 15:30

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

MDP MP Meekail on rejecting concurrent elections.

21 Feb, 14:00

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

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

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

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

Solving one injustice could create another.

06 Nov 2025, 17:15

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

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

Does local autonomy trump collective will?

22 Oct 2025, 17:29

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

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

Isolate and manipulate: abolishing atoll councils fragments collective power

One island rewarded, another punished for dissent.

08 Oct 2025, 15:20

The opposition that can't oppose: MDP burdened by its own elite

Silence on the Adeeb Files speaks volumes.

30 Sep 2025, 17:29

The fall of Mayor Azim’s bid committee

Why would the mayor form a legally dubious evaluation committee dominated by his political rivals?

24 Sep 2025, 15:54

Episode 11: Dredging threatens Maldives’ precious Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve

Policy changes that fast-track environmental approvals threaten centuries-old reefs. Coral advocates sound the alarm.

05 Sep 2025, 16:38

Adduans still measure development against abandoned British base

"Nothing pledged has panned out for us."

01 Sep 2025, 16:31

Episode 10: Live from the journalists’ protest site

Journalists warn the bill curbs free speech, challenging the president and walking out on the AG.

29 Aug 2025, 17:20

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