Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer has been appointed as acting housing minister while Dr Mohamed Muizzu is out of the country, reports local media.
Naseer’s appointment means that four of the thirteen cabinet positions are currently being held by temporary appointees.
The move follows the appointment of Minister at the President’s Office Ibrahim ‘Mundu’ Shareef as acting youth minister earlier this week – a decision some have alleged to be unconstitutional.
Additionally, Islamic minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has been made acting health minister, and tourism minister Ahmed Adeeb acting minister of defence. Both positions are vacant while Colonel (retired) Mohamed Nazim is away on unspecified business.
The President’s Office has denied rumours of a rift within the cabinet, saying that the temporary appointments are routine.
