MP Azaan Calls for Clarity on Dornier Pilots

Ahmed Azaan, MP for Hithadhoo Central, has urged the Defence Ministry to clarify why Maldivian soldiers trained to operate military aircraft are not piloting the Dornier aircraft.

In a post on X, Azan highlighted the public’s demand for transparency: “One of the main reasons people rejected President Ibrahim’s government was the lack of openness. I hope the Defence Ministry will reconsider its stance.” 

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His comments come after the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) appealed a decision by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICOM) to avoid disclosing why officers of the MNDF trained to operate Dornier aircraft are not permitted to fly them. The MNDF previously confirmed that six officers received training from the Indian Army.

Following four hearings, the ICOM ruled on 9 September that the Ministry of Defence must release the requested information within five days. The Ministry, however, citing Article 29 of the Right to Information Act, which pertains to national security, appealed the decision last Tuesday. If the information in question does not fall under national security concerns, this Article may not apply.

Azaan, elected to parliament in April, was previously a journalist with Dhiyares who pushed the former administration to disclose details regarding Indian military personnel in the Maldives.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration faced scrutiny over the perceived lack of transparency concerning agreements with India and the presence of Indian military personnel in the Maldives. 

While President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to improve accountability and transparency, key details remain undisclosed, including the political appointee numbers and specifics of the agreements with India. The President’s Office has also yet to participate in court hearings related to non-disclosure issues.