Wikipedia

Presidency of Mohamed Muizzu

Mohamed Muizzu's tenure as the 9th President of the Maldives began with his inauguration on 17 November 2023. Muizzu, a People's National Congress politician who previously served as Housing Minister for two terms under president Mohamed Waheed Hassan and Abdulla Yameen. Muizzu was the Mayor of Malé from 2021 until his resignation in 2023.

Presidency of Mohamed Muizzu
Presidency of Mohamed Muizzu
17 November 2023 – present
PartyPeople's National Congress
Election2023
SeatMuliaage

During his presidency, Muizzu has overseen many things, such as Independence and Sovereignty, Housing and infrastructural development, Wellness and a Compassionate Society and other several things.

2023 elections

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Main article: 2023 Maldivian presidential election

Progressive Party of Maldives announced candidacy for president as Abdulla Yameen, but due to his corruption and money laundering charges, he was sentenced in 2018 to 11 years in prison and he was ineligible to appear on the ballot. Muizzu was nominated as the presidential candidate for the People's National Congress, with parliament member, Hussain Mohamed Latheef as his running mate.[1]

During his election campaign, Muizzu have pledged many things and projects, such as building the Addu Bridge,[2] Rasmalé project,[3] Economy and Environment, Independence and Sovereignty and Islam and Nationalism.

Muizzu won the 2023 Maldivian presidential election with a vote of 129,159 or 54.04%, defeating then-president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.[4][5]

Inauguration

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See also: Inauguration of Mohamed Muizzu

The Inauguration of Mohamed Muizzu as the 9th President of the Republic of the Maldives, was held on the Republic Square on 17 November 2023.[6]

Inaugural Speech

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During his inaugural speech after taking the oath as president, Muizzu turned to face the national flag at the Republic Square.[7] After a brief pause, he turned back to address the attendees and continued with his speech, saying a poem on the flag.[citation needed]

Administration

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Cabinet

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President Muizzu's cabinet include 22 ministers.[8] The new government created two new ministries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare and Ministry of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works the two ministries were handed to Aishath Rameela and Adam Shareef.[9][10][11]

President Muizzu sent the names of the Cabinet Ministers to Parliament for parliamentary approval in November 2023.[12] In January 2024, the parliament voted to deny approval to three cabinet Ministers, Islamic Minister, Mohamed Shaheem and Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development, Ali Haidar Ahmed, Attorney General, Ahmed Usham,[13][14] Which president Muizzu re-appoint the three Ministers again.[15][16]

India-Maldives backlash

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See also: 2024 India–Maldives diplomatic row

In January 2024, India and Maldives faced a diplomatic row, 3 Deputy Ministers of the Ministry of Youth, Empowerment, Information and Arts tweeted against Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, which led the Maldivian government to suspend the three deputy Ministers.[17][18][19] It led Indians to boycott the Maldives and promoting local Indian islands, Lakshadweep.[20]

Foreign Policy

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Relations with Turkey

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In November 2023, President Muizzu went on his first international presidential trip to Turkey, accepting the invitation by the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.[21][22]

The two leaders held official talks during the visit. During the official talks, President Erdoğan congratulated President Muizzu on his election victory and being sworn in as the eighth president of the Maldives. Following the official talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of an "Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation Between the Government of the Maldives and the Government of Turkey".[23][24][25]

United States

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The United States has been seen as a "close friend" in the Muizzu government.[26] Administrator Samantha Power leaded the United States Presidential Delegation to the Maldives to attend the inauguration of Muizzu.[27][28][29] Previously, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer had official talks.[30][31][32][33]

India

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President Muizzu's presidential campaign focused on reducing Indian influence in Maldivian affairs, Muizzu's first 100 day plan included withdrawal of Indian troops in the Maldives.[34][35][36][37][38] In February 2024, Muizzu said that all Indian troops should leave the Maldives before May 10th of 2024.[39][40] He also said that "We may be small. But that doesn’t give you the license to bully us".[41]

China

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President Muizzu went to China, accepting the invitation by president Xi Jinping.[42] During the presidential election, observers described Muizzu as "a pro-Chinese candidate".[43][44]

References

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  1. ^ Rehan, Mohamed (5 August 2023). "Dr. Muizzu selects Hussain Mohamed Latheef as running mate". The Edition. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  2. ^ Mohamed, Mariyath. "Addu Bridge will be completed during this term: President Dr Muizzu". The Edition. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Rasmale Project to Cost Contractor USD 700 Million, Says Minister". Corporate Maldives. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  4. ^ Sharuhan, Mohamed (30 September 2023). "Maldives opposition candidate Mohamed Muiz wins the presidential runoff, local media say". AP News. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  5. ^ Mohamed, Maahil; Mashal, Mujib (30 September 2023). "Maldives President Is Defeated, in Vote Overshadowed by India and China". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  6. ^ "New Era for Maldives: Dr. Mohammed Muizzu Sworn in as President". The Maldives Journal. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  7. ^ Rehan, Mohamed (19 November 2023). "Praises for President Muizzu's deeply moving inaugural speech". The Edition. Mihaaru. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  8. ^ "President Dr Mohamed Muizzu Appoints 22 Cabinet Minister". Sun. Sun Siyam Media. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  9. ^ Zalif, Zunana (3 December 2023). "Defence Minister temporarily entrusted to oversee Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare". raajje.mv. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Muizzu's New Ministries: A Reformation of Governance". MV+. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  11. ^ "President Dr Mohamed Muizzu Announces Cabinet Ministers and Presidential Office Appointments". Corporate Maldives. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  12. ^ "The President submits 22 Cabinet Ministers' names to Parliament for approval". The President's Office. 20 November 2023. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Parliament Approves 19 Ministers, Rejects 3 in Muizzu's Cabinet Proposal". MV+. Orca Media Group. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Parliament approves 19 of the 22 Cabinet ministers". PSM News. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  15. ^ "The President appoints two Cabinet Ministers, and the Attorney General". The President's Office. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  16. ^ Zalif, Zunana (30 January 2024). "Muizzu reappoints three ministers rejected by People's Majlis". RaajjeMV. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  17. ^ Ethirajan, Anbarasan (8 January 2024). "India summons Maldives envoy over ministers' remarks". BBC. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  18. ^ Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (8 January 2024). "Modi trip to Indian islands prompts Maldives row". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Maldives suspends three officials for insulting Indian PM Modi". Al Jazeera. 7 January 2024. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  20. ^ Lau, Chris; Law, Heather; Sud, Vedika (9 January 2024). "Why Modi's beach shots sparked calls for an Indian boycott of Maldives tourism". CNN. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  21. ^ Shahid, Malaika (26 November 2023). "President Dr. Muizzu departs on first official visit to Turkey". The Edition. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  22. ^ Banerjee, Aveek (12 January 2024). "Why did Maldives President Muizzu ditch India for Turkey on his first foreign visit?". India TV News. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  23. ^ "The Maldives and Türkiye hold Official Talks". The President's Office. Government of the Maldives. 27 November 2023. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Maldives FM hails 'new golden chapter' of relations with Türkiye". Atoll Times. Next Media Group. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  25. ^ Rehan, Mohamed (28 November 2023). "Maldives enters into trade agreement with Türkiye". The Edition. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  26. ^ Samaranayake, Nilanthi (4 December 2023). "Maldives' President Seeks to Preserve Sovereignty Amid Indian Ocean Competition". United States Institute of Peace. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  27. ^ "President Biden Announces Presidential Delegation to the Republic of Maldives to Attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Mohamed Muizzu". White House. 14 November 2023. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Administrator Samantha Power Travels to Maldives". United States Agency for International Development. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  29. ^ "Biden to send delegation to Maldives new pres inauguration". Atoll Times. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Secretary Blinken's Call with Maldivian Foreign Minister Zameer". United States Department of State. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  31. ^ "FM Zameer and US Secretary of State Blinken discuss strengthening bilateral partnership". Sun. Sun Siyam Media. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  32. ^ "Top diplomats discuss boosting Maldives-US ties". Atoll Times. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  33. ^ "Ahead of Mohamed Muizzu's China visit, Antony Blinken dials Male". The Times of India. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  34. ^ Kaushik, Krishn (15 January 2024). "Explainer: Why the Maldives wants Indian troops out". Reuters. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  35. ^ Ethirajan, Anbarasan (22 October 2022). "Mohamed Muizzu: The Maldives' new president wants India out". BBC. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  36. ^ "Muizzu says all Indian troops to be sent back before May 10". The Shillong Times. theshillongtimes. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  37. ^ Mattoo, Shashank (4 December 2023). "Mint Explainer: Why the Maldives has asked Indian troops to leave". Mint. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  38. ^ "Told Indian envoy 'every single Indian military personnel should be removed': Maldives Prez-elect Muizzu". The Week (Indian magazine). 23 October 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  39. ^ Kaushik, Krishn; Junayd, Mohamed (3 February 2024). "India to replace troops in Maldives with civilians by May". Reuters. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  40. ^ "First group of Indian troops to be sent before March 10: Maldives President". The Economic Times. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  41. ^ "ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ޑޮކްޓަރ މުޙައްމަދު މުޢިއްޒު، ޗައިނާއަށް ކުރެއްވި ފުރަމާނަ ދަތުރުފުޅު ނިންމަވައިލެއްވުމަށްފަހު، ރާއްޖެ ވަޑައިގެން، ވެލާނާ އިންޓަރނޭޝަނަލް އެއަރޕޯޓުގައި ދެއްވި ބަޔާން" [Statement by President of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, after his visit to China, in Velana International Airport]. The President's Office. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2023. We may be small, but that doesn't give you the license to bully us.
  42. ^ Varma, K J M. "New Maldivian President Muizzu to visit China on Monday; to hold talks with Xi Jinping". ThePrint. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  43. ^ Goksedef, Ece (1 October 2023). "Maldives election: Pro-China candidate Muizzu wins presidency". BBC News. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  44. ^ "Pro-China candidate Mohamed Muizzu wins Maldives presidency, upending relationship with India". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
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