Maldives this week: 23 - 30 January 2022
Last week's key headlines.
On 30 January, Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed sent a letter to the parliament's 241 committee requesting an investigation into the opposition's 'India Out' campaign, alleging that it was a threat to national security.
On 30 January, the Maldives and Turkey signed five agreements – an agreement on trade and economic cooperation, a memorandum on agricultural cooperation, a memorandum of understanding in environmental issues, an agreement on diplomatic training and exchange of information and documentation, and a cultural cooperation agreement. Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid also said that the two countries have agreed to establish a framework to allow visa-free travel by Maldivians to Turkey.
On 30 January, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Mevlut Cavusoglu, paid a courtesy call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, where discussions were held on the existing bilateral ties between the Maldives and Turkey.
On 30 January, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said that it is working on drafting a bill to criminalise actions that negatively impact the Maldives' foreign policy.
On 29 January, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih resumed his official duties, after recovering from COVID-19.
On 29 January, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid thanked the United States for the donation of 210,600 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to the Maldives through the COVAC facility.
On 26 January, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported 2,813 new COVID-19 cases, from 7,343 samples tested over the previous 24 hours. There are currently 16,673 active cases in the country.
On 26 January, the Criminal Court said that the hearings on the case against Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof will be held once the current COVID-19 wave in the country settles down.
On 26 January, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid said that the Maldives will continue to maintain its India First foreign policy. He said this in a video message he shared on the occasion of India's Republic Day.
On 25 January, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) announced that PCR tests are still required for travel from Malé to the islands and that results of Rapid Antigen Tests cannot be used.
On 24 January, Transparency Maldives issued a statement on the Maldives falling 10 ranks in the Corruption Perception Index. It noted that the Maldives is still among the two third of countries that receive less than 50 points on the index. It also called on the government to fast track the appointment of members to the Anti-Corruption Commission
On 23 January, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported 2,484 new COVID-19 cases, from 7,536 samples tested over the previous 24 hours, There are currently 14,636 active cases in the country.
On 23 January, the parliament announced that it first sitting of the first session of parliament for 2022 is scheduled for 3 February. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will be delivering his annual presidential address at the sitting.
On 23 January, the Health Protection Agency announced that arrangements have been made in Malé for rapid antigen tests for COVID-19. The HPA on 23 January also said that the current approach to COVID-19 is to live with the pandemic, rather than implementing strict restriction measures.
On 23 January, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Yumna Maumoon said that she has tested positive for COVID-19.
