Colonel suspended over president’s motorcade obstruction promoted to brigadier general

Colonel Abdulla Ibrahim, the president’s security unit’s commander who was suspended in connection to the deliberate obstruction of the president’s motorcade for failure to ensure the president’s security has been promoted to brigadier general. 

The incident in question took place on the night of March 20, near the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) headquarters in Male’ City. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s motorcade had been traveling en route to Muliaage after an event in Hulhumale’ when it ran into PPM protestors. Some of the protestors surrounded the motorcade and prevented its passage.

The protestors had kept the motorcade blocked for a good 15 minutes despite both Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and Maldives Police Service (MPS) officials present at the scene.

Colonel Abdulla Ibrahim, the president’s security unit’s commander was suspended by MNDF for the investigation of the case following which deputy commander Major Ahmed Haleem was put temporarily in charge of the unit.

MNDF’s Spokesperson confirmed Colonel Abdulla Ibrahim’s promotion as a brigadier general to Sun. The rank is the fourth highest rank as per the ranking structure.

The motorcade obstruction of the president is being investigated by the Parliament’s Committee on National Security Service (241 Committee) as a serious security breach. Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Did and top MNDF officials were summoned to the Committee during the course of their investigation. However, as the convening had been held behind closed doors, their details remain unclear.