Shafaa Hameed
Shafaa Hameed is a senior journalist at the Maldives Independent. She first joined the newsroom in 2015 and reported for more than four years until its closure in 2020. Before returning to journalism, she worked as a programme coordinator at the American Center Malé and later with the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) and the International Republican Institute (IRI). During her time there, she served as programme officer and later as monitoring, evaluation and learning coordinator, focusing on assessing impact and delivering training under US State Department and USAID-funded initiatives, including the Strong and Inclusive Maldivian Democracy (SIMD) programme. Shafaa rejoined the Maldives Independent in August 2025 following its relaunch.
Dissecting decentralisation: how island councils are about to change
With more changes to the Decentralisation Act approved, we take a closer look at what is happening to local governance in the atolls.
16 hours ago
EU mission highlights SOE misuse as key unaddressed electoral concern
4,300 new hires in 2024 contradict government's reform pledge.
18 Nov, 4:44 PM
Fuvahmulah left without water after years of inaction on known leaks
Authorities knew since 2020, but residents were kept uninformed.
12 Nov, 7:55 PM
Different addresses, same desperation: voices from Malé's housing divide
Migrants and natives share their stories of struggle.
10 Nov, 6:46 PM
"Tired of parties": voter turnout drops amid urban-rural enthusiasm gap
Malé turnout trails national average by 13 points as urban centres disengage.
30 Oct, 6:17 PM
"No one is going to empower us": how the Maldives' only four-term councilwoman claimed real power
Fishermen call her for help. Female councilors seek her advice.
28 Oct, 3:22 PM
"We were forced to come out": voices from the MDP protest
Businesses down, living costs up, corruption unchecked.
05 Oct, 5:10 PM
Political divide threatens Maldives' 20-year development blueprint
Consultant concedes MDP boycott will leave US$ 1.1 million plan incomplete.
02 Oct, 3:58 PM
The #AdeebFiles: buried evidence of how the Maldives became a kleptocracy
Corruption is normalised and culturally embedded.
23 Sep, 6:00 PM
New referendum law sets stage for electoral reforms as opposition warns of term extension
Government supporters float prolonging five-year presidential term.
22 Sep, 2:02 PM
"Media control bill" heads for Monday vote after secret committee review
Editors vow defiance despite looming regulatory crackdown.
11 Sep, 7:27 PM
"Throw it out": journalists deliver unified rejection of media regulation bill
Representatives from 22 outlets unanimously opposed "media control bill."
03 Sep, 10:30 PM
Showdown looms as Maldives media mobilises against regulatory overhaul
Bill proposes new commission with power to shut down outlets.
21 Aug, 2:37 PM
One vote, two elections: Maldives weighs democratic trade-offs
Concurrent presidential and parliamentary elections could save MVR 150 million.
12 Aug, 8:20 PM
Maldives parliament decries "misuse" of own data to brand MPs "lazy and inactive"
One UK MP outperforms the entire People's Majlis.
06 Aug, 4:20 PM
Should runners face curfews? Fatal crash divides Malé
A teen's death reignited the road safety debate.
22 Jul, 5:15 PM
Hope for justice: Yameen Rasheed’s murder two years on
The murder blogger’s family has pinned their hopes on a presidential commission.
23 Apr 2019, 9:00 AM
Trial begins for Rilwan abduction suspects
The family of the third suspect, Mohamed Suaid, informed the court in response to a summons that he was dead, Judge Adam Arif said.
20 Sep 2017, 9:00 AM
Adhaalath leader transferred to high security prison
Sheikh Imran Abdulla was transferred from a police remand center to a high security prison on Thursday, prompting fears the government has reversed its conciliatory stance on making concessions for jailed politicians.
25 Jul 2015, 8:30 AM
Only one head of state to attend Maldives independence celebrations
While President Sirisena had accepted President Abdulla Yameen’s invitation, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was unable to attend “because of certain events in his country.” An invitation for India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is still open, foreign minister said.
23 Jul 2015, 5:49 PM
