Politics

RSF lambasts Maldives president over action against journalists

Slamming Yameen over continued pressure on critical and independent media in the Maldives, RSF has called on the Commonwealth to react without delay.

Court bars former Haveeru staff from working for new paper

“We will jobless for the next two years. This is an absolute violation of our fundamental rights, our right to work anywhere we want. This is part of the government’s continuing crackdown on the press,” said assistant editor Ali Naafiz.

Maldives urged to halt execution by EU, UN rights experts

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has also opposed Humam’s execution without the consent of the victim’s family. “No Islamic state has the right to carry out qisas except as provided in Islam,” he declared in a tweet.

Translation: Gayoom’s statement on PPM reform agenda

In a televised statement Thursday night, Gayoom accused PPM MPs of defying his instructions, working against the party’s founding principles, and facilitating corruption. The PPM leader also suggested that council members asked him to grant the party’s presidential ticket to Yameen under duress.

Gayoom accused of ‘hijacking’ PPM as power struggle intensifies

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has been accused of “hijacking” the Progressive Party of Maldives as a power struggle with his half-brother President Abdulla Yameen for control of the ruling party intensified today.

Gayoom moves to take control of PPM

Gayoom moved to take control of the PPM tonight after a complaint was filed with the party’s disciplinary committee urging action against two MPs, including son Faris, who did not vote for a controversial tourism bill.

Gayoom urges PPM MPs to vote against government tourism bill

In a message posted on the PPM MPs’ Viber group yesterday, the former president said authorising the government to lease islands for resort development without a bidding process is contrary to the party’s founding principles.

Majlis approves diplomatic postings to UN and Europe

The People’s Majlis approved today President Abdulla Yameen’s nominees for the new Maldivian permanent representative to the UN and non-resident ambassador to the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Supreme court upholds verdict against Maldives ex-president

The supreme court has upheld former President Mohamed Nasheed’s 13-year jail sentence on charges of terrorism.

Graft watchdog advises against awarding ‘mega projects’ without bidding

The anti-corruption watchdog has advised the government to reverse changes brought to the public finance regulations last year that allowed large-scale projects to be awarded without a competitive bidding process.

Critical news website closes citing unrelenting political pressure

CNM, a popular news website critical of the Maldives government, has been forced shut after it exposed the first lady’s misuse of state resources.

Yameen appoints third vice president, reshuffles cabinet

President Yameen reshuffled the cabinet today and appointed Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad as his third deputy in less than a year.

Home minister resigns

“Today I have decided to resign from my position as the Home Minister. I thank HEP Yamin and others for all their support,” Naseer said in a tweet moments ago.

President ‘halted’ central bank inquiry into money laundering

The opposition has renewed calls for Yameen’s arrest, claiming it has new evidence he instructed the central bank to halt an inquiry into the Maldives’ biggest ever corruption scandal.

MPs question government’s sincerity in tackling jihadi recruitment

Opposition leader to be investigated over arrest warrant for president

Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, the leader of the newly launched opposition coalition, is being investigated by the police on suspicion of links to a forged warrant for President Abdulla Yameen’s arrest.

Kenyan chief justice appointed Commonwealth special envoy to Maldives

Dr Willy Mutunga “will consult with all relevant stakeholders to encourage the strengthening of a pluralist, multi-party democracy, steps towards credible and inclusive presidential elections in 2018 and the advancement of reforms to give full effect to the separation of powers,” according to the Commonwealth.

Government unveils ‘zero tolerance’ counter-terrorism policy

The government has promised “swift measures” against Maldivians involved with terrorist organisations in a new state policy on combating terrorism and violent extremism. A seven-page policy paper made public on Thursday broadly outlined plans to improve security and conduct de-radicalisation and rehabilitation programmes.

PPM divisions reopen over Gayoom’s opposition to grant Yameen party ticket

MPs and members of the PPM have taken to social media calling for Yameen to be awarded the party ticket without a primary after local media claimed that former president and PPM leader Gayoom had refused to endorse his half-brother for the 2018 polls.

Saudis defend Maldives first lady over date controversy

The embassy of Saudi Arabia in Malé has spoken out in defence of the first lady of the Maldives, who has been accused of corruption when it emerged that an NGO she founded was distributing dates gifted by the kingdom in its name.