Maldives to restore ties with Qatar and Iran

Discussions have started with both nations, the new foreign minister announced.

President-elect departs to Saudi Arabia

Solih will meet with Saudi government officials during the trip.

Maldives back Saudi Arabia amid international crisis

Opposition leader Nasheed is under fire for accepting an invitation to visit the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia and China’s leaders congratulate Maldives president-elect

Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan called Solih on Monday morning.

Status quo or got to go? What the Maldives’ allies want from the election

There are seven countries with embassies in the Maldives. What do they want from the presidential election?

Maldives backs Saudi Arabia in Canada row

The Maldives accused Canada of a “clear violation of the international conventions and norms.”

Construction begins on Maldives’ US$24m King Salman Mosque

Housing Minister Mohamed Muizzu said work has begun on erecting pillars for the six-storey mosque, which is expected to be completed by August.

Maldives defends Saudi Arabia over UN report on killing Yemen children

The Maldives mission in New York claimed that “the allegations levelled against the [Saudi-led] coalition were based not on first-hand observation by the officials of the United Nations, but regrettably, on reports by various other parties, including NGOs.”

Trade with Qatar to continue despite cutting diplomatic ties

The opposition meanwhile condemned “President Yameen’s reckless foreign policy decisions, which appear to be increasingly dictated by Riyadh.”

Maldives severs diplomatic ties with Qatar

The foreign ministry claimed the government “took the decision because of its firm opposition to activities that encourage terrorism and extremism.”

President departs to attend Arab Islamic American Summit

Leaders from more than 50 Arab and Islamic states from around the world will meet with US President Donald Trump at the summit “to renew their collective commitment to confronting the threat of violent extremism and global terrorism,” according to the Saudi government.

Maldives fights rumours of island sales to Saudi Arabia with clampdown

Police officers on the island of Magoodhoo in Faafu atoll forced a journalist working as a stringer for The New York Times to sign a statement saying he would not interview islanders about the rumoured multi-billion investment from Saudi Arabia.

MDP meeting hall raided for third time ahead of Saudi king’s visit

The meeting hall was previously raided twice amidst a crackdown against any attempts to carry out “demeaning” activities during upcoming official visits.

The things we do

“I am not pessimistic by nature, but I fear for the future of my homeland. Paradise is rarely regained in the political arena. The very nature of politics makes it so,” writes Latheefa Verall.

Development or environment: A dilemma for Maldivians

Aside from the irreversible damage to fragile reefs from reclamation and dredging, the Maldives stands to lose the unique Islandness (ޖަޒީރާވަންތަކަން) of an ancient ocean civilisation, writes environmental scientist Ibrahim Mohamed.

Opposition announces protest against Faafu deal as police crackdown intensifies

After warning that “legal action” will be taken against “demeaning” activities during upcoming official visits, the police have raided the MDP’s meeting hall twice, painted over graffiti on Shaviyani Bileyfahi, and warned against putting up banners against the Faafu deal at the MDP’s campaign launch rally on Haa Alif Dhidhoo.

Government denies ‘selling off’ atoll to Saudi Arabia

The categorical denial comes after Climate Home reported former President Mohamed Nasheed and foreign policy experts raising the prospect of Saudi Arabia seeking a strategic anchor in the Maldives to secure an oil route to China.

MDP warns of ‘creeping colonialism’ by Saudi Arabia

Of myths and monsters

In the second part of her series on the Saudi-funded project for Faafu atoll, Azra Naseem examines the use of powerful national myths to counter criticism and stifle dissent.

Muizzing Maldives

In the third part of her series on the proposed Saudi development of Faafu atoll, Azra Naseem considers revelations made by ministers in the UK’s Guardian newspaper about plans to relocate populations of small islands.