Foreign Ministry data shows embassy costs nearly doubled in a year

Government spending on embassies and high commissions has risen to MVR 54 million per month, including MVR 2.35 million on basic salaries alone, according to figures shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The increase comes amid criticism that the number of political appointees posted to foreign missions has grown under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration. The opposition has accused the government of appointing relatives of senior officials to diplomatic posts, a claim the government denies.

Under a Right to Information (RTI) request submitted by Sun last year, the Foreign Ministry disclosed that between 1 October 2024 and 31 January 2025, the government spent an average of MVR 32 million per month on its 21 overseas missions.

A second RTI request submitted last month sought updated details on the number of missions, staff positions, and monthly salary structures. In response, the ministry confirmed that as of 31 December 2025, monthly expenditure had climbed to MVR 54 million.

Salary structure

The ministry’s data shows that basic salaries for embassy and high commission staff total MVR 2.35 million per month.

The highest basic salary, MVR 42,500, is paid to four ambassadors:

• Ambassador to the UAE Mohamed Hussain Shareef  
• High Commissioner to the UK Dr. Irthisham Adam  
• Ambassador to China Dr. Fazeel Najeeb  
• Ambassador to Japan Ahmed Mahloof

Mahloof, who left the MDP and joined the PNC last year, was appointed ambassador in December.

Other ambassadors and high commissioners receive a basic salary of MVR 29,500, while deputy heads of mission and special consuls receive MVR 18,000.

Political appointees

According to the ministry, there are 82 political employees posted to foreign missions, with a combined basic salary of MVR 1.85 million per month.

Diplomatic staff also receive various allowances based on cost of living, position, and family status. These include:

• living allowance  
• family allowance (spouse + up to two children)  
• education allowance for children  

Japan and Switzerland are among the highest‑cost postings, with the Ambassador to Japan and the Permanent Representative to Switzerland receiving living allowances exceeding MVR 52,000 per month.

The number of political appointees in government has been a point of contention. The President’s Office announced on 15 July that there were 992 individuals in political positions at the time.

However, the MDP argues that the government’s spending on salaries and allowances suggests the real number is significantly higher, estimating between 2,000 and 3,000 political employees.