A no-confidence motion has been filed against Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath and discussions are underway for a similar motion to be filed against the President of the Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as well.
Foreign Minister Shahid
The recent decision on the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between the Maldives and the Chagos Islands has left the Maldivian population dissatisfied, despite the division of the EEZ in favour of the Maldives. Traditionally, the Maldivians have enjoyed exclusive access to the entire EEZ, which has been a significant fishing area for them for generations. Consequently, this decision has been perceived as a substantial loss to their fishing zones.
Due to this perceived loss, there is a growing desire among the people to hold those involved in the Chagos Islands case accountable. They believe that the individuals responsible did not exert enough effort or consideration in defending the interests of their country. Consequently, there is a feeling that their representatives should have fought more vigorously to safeguard the Maldives' rights and ensure a more favourable outcome.
With this, the opposing political parties of the Maldives have come together to help with the fight for holding Government officials who worked in this case responsible for the loss. In order to do this, opposing parties have been discussing holding no-confidence motions against the Government officials who failed the nation, and so far a no-confidence motion has been filed against Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath and discussions are underway for a similar motion to be filed against the President of the Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as well.
Additionally, on 18th May 2023, with the signatures of 13 members of the Parliament, a no-confidence motion has also now been filed against the Foreign Minister of the Maldives Abdulla Shahid. With this no-confidence motion, the opposing parties are requesting for the Foreign Minister to be removed from his position as he failed to do his job during the discussions held regarding the Chagos Island issues.
Though Shahid is still serving in the position of the Foreign Minister of the country, during the weeks and months of discussions surrounding the EEZ zone between the Maldives and Mauritius, Shahid failed to speak up for his country and its rights over the EEZ zone, and many are now seeing this as a failure on his part.
