Saudi Arabia


Maldives to restore ties with Qatar and Iran
Discussions have started with both nations, the new foreign minister announced.
22 Nov 2018, 9:00 AM


President-elect departs to Saudi Arabia
Solih will meet with Saudi government officials during the trip.
07 Nov 2018, 9:00 AM


Maldives back Saudi Arabia amid international crisis
Opposition leader Nasheed is under fire for accepting an invitation to visit the kingdom.
16 Oct 2018, 9:00 AM


Saudi Arabia and China’s leaders congratulate Maldives president-elect
Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan called Solih on Monday morning.
01 Oct 2018, 9:00 AM


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?
29 Aug 2018, 9:00 AM


Maldives backs Saudi Arabia in Canada row
The Maldives accused Canada of a “clear violation of the international conventions and norms.”
08 Aug 2018, 9:00 AM


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.
26 Feb 2018, 9:00 AM


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.”
11 Oct 2017, 9:00 AM


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.”
06 Jun 2017, 9:00 AM


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.”
05 Jun 2017, 9:00 AM


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.
20 May 2017, 9:00 AM


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.
02 Apr 2017, 9:00 AM


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.
16 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


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.
15 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


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.
12 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


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.
08 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


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.
08 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


MDP warns of ‘creeping colonialism’ by Saudi Arabia
04 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


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.
04 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM


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.
04 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM