Maldives this week: 14 - 20 March 2022
Last week's key headlines.
On 20 March, Speaker of Parliament and President of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mohamed Nasheed alleged that the Managing Director of Fenaka Corporation [government utility company] Ahmed Saeed is working to oust him from the party.
On 19 March, the Ombudsperson's Office for Transitional Justice commenced public hearings on the investigation into alleged systematic violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms during the forced eviction of residents of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Thinadhoo island in 1962 under former president Ibrahim Nasir's administration.
On 19 March, former President Abdulla Yameen said that all agreements made between the Maldives and India will be annulled under his government.
On 19 March, a delegation of Maldivian parliament members on 19 March departed for Indonesia to participate in the 144th meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
On 19 March, Speaker of Parliament and President of the MDP Mohamed Nasheed said that former president Yameen's 'India Out' campaign was dangerous and that he was conducting the campaign knowing all there was to know about the consequences.
On 17 March, the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) issued Payment Service Providers' Licence to four additional parties, VTT Finance Private Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Maldives Private Limited, Payer Private Limited and Fahipay Private Limited.
On 17 March, the Maldives held the Maldives Sports Award 2022, where special recognition awards were awarded to five people, including the Minister of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh Zahid Ahsan Russel, Minister of Youth and Sports of Sri Lanka Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Sports of Saudi Arabia Bader Alkadi, Maldivian businessman Hussein Afeef and the honorary president of the Maldives Tennis Association Ahmed Nazeer. Lifetime awards were awarded to 15 people and sports icon awards to 16.
On 17 March, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih reconstituted the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and appointed five new members to the commission.
On 17 March, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih dissolved the Presidential Commission on Corruption and Asset Recovery. The commission had been established on 17 November 2018, to recuperate state assets lost to corruption and misappropriation between 1 January 2012 and 17 November 2018.
On 16 March, the United States provided USD3.2 million in assistance to the Maldives, to be utilised in the areas of climate change and environment.
On 15 March, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology announced the launching of a USD10.5 million project for Climate Change Adaptation in the Maldives, funded by USAID.
On 15 March, the Maldives and Singapore signed memorandums of understanding for cooperation in the areas of transport and aircraft accident investigations.
On 14 March, the Criminal Court ruled to provide five days for former President Abdulla Yameen to submit evidence in his defence in the charges against him for accepting bribes for the lease of V. Aarah.
On 14 March, Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed said that former President Abdulla Yameen's statements on the Uthuru Thilafalhu agreement with India, where he claimed that Indian military would control the area, was a threat to national security.
On 14 March, the parliament approved the nominations proposed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for appointment to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
