Maldives This Week, 6 to 12 May 2021

12 May

Parliament publishes MMPRC corruption Report

Maldives Parliament published a report including 281 names of individuals/companies that received embezzled funds from the MMPRC.
The Auditor General, Hassan Ziyath, who is listed in the report, resigns.

Terror attack targeting Speaker of Parliament

On 6 May, Speaker of Parliament and former president Mohamed Nasheed critically injured in a blast in Malé
Four others, including two members of Nasheed's security detail injured
Nasheed currently out of danger and recovering according to hospital and family
Police investigating blast as terror attack; arrests three suspects; Criminal Court remands suspects for 15 days
President Solih says attack on democracy and economy
President Solih says Australian Federal Police team to assist in investigation
On 9 May, President Solih orders audit into intelligence failures
Parliament to launch inquiry into security breaches

Developments on the MMPRC corruption investigation

On 6 May, Speaker Nasheed proposes resolution to parliament to give the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) the authority to seek foreign assistance to trace the embezzled funds
On 10 May, MDP Chairperson Hassan Latheef says not the right time to make list of those allegedly involved in corruption public, citing ongoing investigation
On 10 May, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eva Abdulla recommends removing those in state positions who have allegedly benefited from the corruption
On 10 May, majority leader Ali Azim resigns from joint parliamentary committee reviewing list.

Government condemns Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians

Government of Maldives issues statement condemning the violent attacks by Israeli forces of Palestinian civilians in the occupied territory of East Jerusalem
Says forced eviction of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah and the attacks on unarmed Muslim worshipers in the Al-Asqa mosque was a clear violation of international law and UNSC and general assembly resolutions

President appoints new members to the cabinet

Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture Zaha Waheed resigns – no reasons are cited
Minister Waheed is replaced by former Minister of Environment, Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan
Former Policy Secretary at the President's Office, Aminath Shauna, as the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology.