Staff dismissed after vowing to ‘confront’ vice president

President’s office media coordinator Sharif Mohamed has been dismissed from his post today after declaring that he would confront anyone who criticises President Abdulla Yameen, including vice president Ahmed Adeeb.

“I will confront anyone who criticizes President Yameen, you cannot tell me who I should confront. I have no problem confronting even the Vice President for President Yameen,” Sharif is heard saying in an audio clip posted by the opposition-aligned Raajje TV.

The audio clip was reportedly sent to a Viber group of active Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) members.

The Maldives Independent was unable to contact Sharif as his mobile phone was switched off. President’s office spokesman Ibrahim Muaz declined to comment on the dismissal.

It is not clear if Sharif’s dismissal was related to the voice clip.

Sharif was appointed to post on July 10.

He was previously a member of the opposition Jumhooree Party youth wing.

He had been promoting Adeeb on social media before his appointment at the president’s office.

Adeeb, the former tourism minister, was appointed as vice president on July 23, after the parliament impeached Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed from the presidency. The ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) had accused him of incompetence and disloyalty.