Our Ambassadors Are Bailing Water on a Sinking Ship: Ziyad

Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad has criticized the government's diplomatic appointments, stating that despite two and a half years of appointing ambassadors to various countries, the nation has yet to see a single benefit from their efforts.

Speaking during Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting, MP Ziyad noted that the appointment of resident and non-resident ambassadors has become the most frequent undertaking of the 20th People’s Majlis. His remarks followed the presentation of a report by the Committee on Foreign Relations regarding the appointment of a new envoy to the Maldives.

It has been two and a half years since this practice began. The question that arises is what exactly is gained by appointing ambassadors to countries with which we have no prior acquaintance.

The committee's work is commendable, and the individuals being appointed are certainly capable. However, the public is questioning what the Maldives has actually gained from these non-resident ambassadors to date. The state provides these officials with substantial salaries and covers the expenses of their families. Oftentimes, ministers who have been sidelined by the government or individuals phased out from other sectors are appointed to embassies. What is the tangible outcome of this? What does the state gain in return? Since the public is raising these questions, I felt it was important to highlight this issue.

Hussain Ziyad, Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency.

Ziyad stated that the current situation was inevitable. He remarked that no matter how capable an individual is, if they board a sinking vessel, their primary task will always be to bail out the water. The member further noted that this is exactly the challenge currently facing the ambassadors.

The member stated that the government's sole focus has been on self-promotion and polishing its public image. He further noted that there is no genuine intent to secure resources, pointing out that two and a half years into its term, the administration has failed to secure even basic medical supplies from any foreign nation.

Ziyad stated that these challenges do not arise from a lack of ambassadors, but rather from a failure to maintain meaningful relations with other nations. He noted that simply appointing ambassadors does not guarantee stronger ties, emphasizing that such diplomatic success requires international trust in the government.