Khaleel, Aishath Shiham sacked and Adam Shareef and Ghassan resign as shakeup reaches cabinet

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu dismissed two ministers while at least two others resigned on Tuesday, as the post-election shakeup reached the cabinet.

Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel and Social and Family Development Minister were dismissed, while Defense Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Local Government Minister Adam Shareef Umar resigned.

The cabinet shakeup comes in the wake of a major defeat for the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) in the recent local council elections and referendum, which saw the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) sweep a majority of seats in local councils.

President Muizzu conceded defeat in the elections, and promised to implement “reforms where needed.”

The days that followed have seen a series of resignations and dismissals rock the top management of state-owned enterprises, as well as the President’s Office, and now the cabinet itself.