Parliament’s Committee on National Security has rejected two out of the remaining three names proposed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to represent Maldives as Ambassadors.
The decision was reached at a committee meeting held on Thursday.
The committee which has a majority of pro-government members, rejected the following names:
- Mohamed Jinah as Ambassador to Thailand, and
- Mohamed Khaleel as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Although these two names were rejected out of the total of 11 names proposed, the committee had approved Aishath Azeema’s nomination as Ambassador to China- the other eight nominees were approved at Wednesday's sitting.
Member of Parliament for Maradhoo constituency, Ibrahim Shareef had voiced discontent in approving Jinah and Khaleel as ambassadors, and MP for Vaikaradhoo constituency Mohamed Nazim had backed him.
Although the committee rejected their names, they will be forwarded to the parliament floor for a vote. If the Parliament floor grants them approval, they will be appointed to the posts.
The eight foreign envoys approved on Wednesday are;
- Hassan Sobir as Ambassador to Brussels, Belgium,
- Aishath Mohamed Didi as Ambassador to India,
- Dr. Abdulla Mausoom as Ambassador to Singapore,
- Ahmed Latheef as Ambassador to Germany,
- Farhanaz Faisal as Ambassador to the United Kingdom,
- Thilmeeza Hussain as Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative of the government of Maldives to the United Nations,
- Wisam Ali as Ambassador to Malaysia, and
- Umar Abdul Razzaq as Ambassador to Sri Lanka.
Article 115 (l) of the Maldives Constitution gives the President power to “appoint members of diplomatic missions to foreign countries and international organizations in consultation with the People’s Majlis (Parliament)”.
