Gov’t Nominates Former Ambassador to China as New Envoy to India

The government has nominated Aishath Azeema, former ambassador to China, as the nation’s new top envoy to India, succeeding Ibrahim Shaheeb in the role.

Parliament reconvened this morning, following a recess, to hear the official letter nominating Azeema, which has now been forwarded to the Foreign Relations Committee for further review.

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A seasoned diplomat, Azeema began her career in the Maldivian foreign service in 1988. Her tenure includes serving as ambassador to China from June 2019 to September 2023, as well as deputy ambassador to the United Kingdom. She has held multiple senior roles within the Foreign Ministry, including positions as an additional secretary and joint secretary.

Azeema is set to replace Shaheeb, who was appointed ambassador to India in October 2022. This change in representation comes as the Maldives aims to strengthen its relationship with India, one of its closest diplomatic and economic partners in the region.

Gov’t Nominates Abdul Haseeb Ismail for ECM Seat

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has nominated Abdul Haseeb Ismail to serve as a member of the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM), with the current chairperson Fuad Thaufeeq’s term set to expire on November 24.

Parliament announced the nomination today as it reconvened following a recess, with Muizzu’s letter listing Haseeb as his preferred candidate for the role. The letter also provided a shortlist of other eligible applicants for the upcoming vacancy in the EC’s five-member board.

Haseeb, who previously served as the permanent secretary at the Islamic Ministry from 2019 until his suspension and dismissal in 2021 over alleged staff mistreatment, currently holds the position of assistant director at the ECM. His nomination has now been forwarded to the Independent Institutions Committee for review.

Applications for the ECM vacancy were opened on 12 September in preparation for the November transition. Under the ECM’s rules, commissioners serve five-year terms and may not hold more than two consecutive terms.

Fuad, who first joined the ECM in 2008, served as its chairperson from 2009 to 2014, then returned to the commission in 2019 and resumed his chairmanship in 2021. His colleagues on the current EC board include Deputy Chairperson Ali Nashath, Dr. Mohamed Zahir, Mohamed Asif, and Hassan Zakariyya.