On December 1, following his first meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai, Maldives’ newly elected President Mohamed Muizzu announced that India had agreed to withdraw troops from his country. Muizzu’s election campaign had focused on an “India Out” plank. A day after his electoral win … Read more
To foreigners, the Maldives conjures up images of sandy beaches, turquoise blue waters, and super-luxurious resorts. While the Indian Ocean archipelago is undoubtedly stunningly beautiful, daily life for local Maldivians has been far from picture-postcard perfect. Decades of authoritarian rule prompted mass protests, which paved the way for democracy. But with democracy came political turmoil. … Read more
Hours after his swearing-in as Maldives’ new president, Mohamed Muizzu “formally requested” India to “withdraw its military personnel” from the Indian Ocean archipelago. According to a press release from the President’s Office, the formal request was made during a meeting between Muizzu and India’s Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju, who was in Malé for … Read more
The Maldives’ President-elect Mohamed Muizzu, who is preparing for his inauguration on November 17, recently concluded a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Following his trip, he announced an $80 million investment from the UAE for developing the Maldives’ main international hub, Velana International Airport (VIA). Prior to this, Muizzu met with Saudi Arabian … Read more
Advertisement Maldives is one of South Asia’s youngest democracies, having adopted its new constitution and held its first multiparty democratic elections only in 2008. This September, the country concluded its fourth multi-party presidential election, which was conducted in a largely peaceful and competitive manner. The incumbent, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), … Read more
President-elect of the Maldives Mohamed Muiz attends a victory celebration in Male, Maldives, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Mohamed Sharuhaan Advertisement Maldives elected a new president on September 30, and it is not Ibrahim Solih, the incumbent. The opposition candidate, Mohamed Muizzu, received 54 percent of the vote against Solih’s 46 percent. With the … Read more
Advertisement The political landscape of the Maldives has dramatically shifted following the recent runoff round of the presidential election held on September 30, which witnessed the defeat of the incumbent government led by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Mohamed Muizzu, mayor of Malé, and a member of the People’s National Congress … Read more
Videos | Politics | South Asia Mimrah Abdul Ghafoor and JJ Robinson discuss the domestic politics behind President-elect Muizzu’s win and the foreign policy implications going forward. Maldives’ main opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu participates in a rally as he concludes his campaign for the second round of presidential election in capital Male, Maldives, Sept.29, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Mohamed SharuhaanAdvertisement … Read more
Advertisement Opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu, the incumbent mayor of Malé and a member of the People’s National Congress (PNC) — which is in coalition with the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) — defeated the sitting president, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP), in the Maldivian presidential runoff election held on September 30. … Read more
Advertisement Maldivians went to the polls on September 9 to cast their votes in the country’s fourth democratic presidential election since adopting a multiparty democratic system in 2008. The results yielded a major upset, with the opposition coming out ahead of the current government. Incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) … Read more