The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted claims published by a media outlet that a Maldivian ambassador was dismissed from his post for refusing to join the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), describing the reports as completely false.
The denial follows a report by news outlet Adhadhu alleging that the government had decided to remove Ahmed Sareer, a veteran diplomat with 40 years of service currently serving as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, after he allegedly declined instructions to sign up for the ruling party. Adhadhu cited a senior ministry official claiming that diplomats had been instructed to join the PNC.
Responding to the allegations, the Foreign Ministry stated that appointments and dismissals of ambassadors are conducted under strict statutory procedures pursuant to the Maldives Foreign Service Act (Act No. 20/2021), falling under the discretionary authority vested in the President.
The ministry clarified that the official in question had served as Ambassador-at-Large at State Minister level since 3 January 2024, prior to his appointment as ambassador on 30 October 2024.
Furthermore, the ministry emphasised that under the Foreign Service Code of Conduct, foreign service personnel are legally prohibited from maintaining political party memberships.
Consequently, the ministry stated, no staff members were or could be coerced into signing up for a political party, and it urged media outlets to refrain from publishing unverified reports regarding its personnel.
The controversy comes amidst broader public discussion surrounding the ruling party’s rapid membership growth.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the PNC congress at the Social Centre, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu called on party members to act “in one spirit and as one family” under a “Country First” motto, highlighting that registered PNC membership had expanded from roughly 3,000 members when his administration took office in November 2023 to over 80,000.
Official records from the Elections Commission list the PNC’s registered membership at 82,169 as of 13th October 2026.
Allegations regarding political party recruitment have also surfaced in other state-affiliated bodies. In September, utility provider STELCO suspended an employee and initiated an administrative investigation following reports that staff were being coerced into joining the PNC, with the company maintaining that its resources remain strictly dedicated to public service delivery.
