Local

Minister Shahid thanks OACPS after Maldives becomes full member

Published

1 year ago

10/12/2022

Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has remarked that Maldives is proud to become a full member of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), expressing gratitude to the organization for granting the opportunity.

Speaking at the 10th Summit of Heads of State and Government of OACPS – Minister Shahid, on behalf of President Ibrahim Mohamed, congratulated the President of Angola, Joao Lourenco, and people of Angola for successfully hosting the summit.

Noting that Maldives has become a full member of OACPS – Minister Shahid said that the African nations, Maldives’ immediate neighbours to the west, are bound together with common values, our hopes for a fairer, just, and peaceful world, as well as shared challenges.

He noted that as a Small Island State – Maldives was seeking a group of countries that acknowledged its special circumstances.

“As a vulnerable nation, we wanted to move closer to those who were willing to lend us a helping hand. That is why our decision to apply for full membership only felt natural. And now that we are here, the Maldives is ready to engage,” he added.

Minister Shahid also emphasized that Maldives did not just seek membership to reap its benefits.

“We have a compelling story. One that elevated us from being the 6th poorest country in the world at independence in 1965, to just the third country to graduate towards becoming a Middle-Income Country in 2011,” he had said.

Stressing that Maldives continues to steer through the dire global economic situation despite its inherent vulnerabilities – Minister Shahid said that Maldives has become a part of OACPS to contributes.

“We are here to contribute! To work with all of you to achieve our shared objectives. We will be a constructive and reliable partner.” he had said.

Maldivian government believes participation in the organization would strengthen Maldives’ relations with Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, and allow Maldives to play a larger role in international forums on issues of national interest, such as climate change, and secure funding for development projects.

It is also expected to contribute to improved cooperation between the OACPS and European Union institutions, easing negotiations for better prices for Maldivian fish exports and to obtain Schengen visas for travel.

Source(s): sun.mv

Local

Nasheed to form new party

Published

12 months ago

17/05/2023

The main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s leader Mohamed Nasheed has decided to form a new political party.

Nasheed initiated a separate political movement within MDP, ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’, following his loss in MDP’s presidential primary held back in January. After major conflicts with the government and its policies – all lawmakers from the faction tendered their resignation from MDP on Wednesday.

The move came after Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim was expelled from the party on Tuesday and banned from rejoining for at least one year over involvement in opposition political activities surrounding the Chagos archipelago dispute.

The 12 members who resigned from MDP on Wednesday are;

Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla
Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde)
North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahumy (Inthi)
West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef
Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef
Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef
Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde)
Madaveli MP Hussain Firushan
Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan (Gita)
North Mahchangoalhi MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu)
Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir
All 12 members are close acquittances of Nasheed. MP Hassan Latheef, during a meeting at Bodufenvalhuge on Wednesday, announced Nasheed’s decision to form a new political party. The meeting was attended by supporters of Nasheed.

Should Nasheed form a new political party, that party would be the largest opposition party in terms of members in the parliament, thereby, the minority party. The minority party at present, opposition PPM-PNC coalition has only eight members in the parliament.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

Local

MPs loyal to Nasheed leave MDP

Published

12 months ago

17/05/2023

Multiple members of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) loyal to the party’s leader Mohamed Nasheed have left the party.

The members who resigned from MDP include 12 MPs. They include Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla, MP Mohamed Waheed, MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi), MP Hassan Latheef, MP Ilyas Labeeb, MP Yasir Abdul Latheef, MP Hassan Afeef, MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde), MP Hussain Firushan, MP Hassan Shiyan, MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu), and MP Ahmed Zahir.

They submitted their resignation letters Wednesday.

The move comes after MDP’s parliamentary group had requested action against Inthi, Hassan Latheef, Ilyas, Yasir, and Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim earlier this week, for forming an alliance with the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Jumhoory Party (JP) and Maldives National Party (MNP), after accusing the government of failure to protect the interests of the Maldivian people in the case lodged with the International Tribunal of the Law of the Seas (ITLOS) over the disputed maritime territory between Maldives and Mauritius.

The party’s disciplinary committee decided to expel Azim from the party on Tuesday.

They are all members of Nasheed’s ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction.

However, Nasheed has yet to resign from the party.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

Local

The Cambodian Prime Minister arrives in the Maldives on an official visit

Published

1 year ago

15/01/2023

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, arrived Sunday morning on an official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen’s first visit to the Maldives.

The Cambodian Prime Minister and accompanying delegation were received at Velana International Airport (VIA) by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid (ODRI). The government will hold a ceremony on Monday to officially welcome the Cambodian Prime Minister to the Maldives.

During the visit, President Solih would meet with Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen and hold official talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation, followed by the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries. President Solih and the Cambodian Prime Minister would also deliver a joint statement on the outcomes of their discussions.

The Maldives and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1995.

Source(s): President Office.