The Foreign Ministry has denied media reports claiming that a Maldivian ambassador abroad was sacked after refusing to sign for the ruling PNC Party.
Local media reported that the Maldivian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Sareer, was dismissed after refusing to sign for the PNC.
In response, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the expelled Ambassador has held a political position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the level of State Ministers as Ambassador at Large since January 3, 2024, and was appointed as an Ambassador on October 30, 2024.
Explaining the procedures governing the appointment and dismissal of ambassadors, the Foreign Ministry said that the appointment and dismissal of ambassadors under the Foreign Service Act of Maldives are governed by certain special procedures.
Accordingly, the decisions to dismiss the ambassadors are being taken under the authority of the President under the Constitution and the law.
The Ministry also said that, as per the Code of Conduct of Foreign Service Employees, they cannot be members of political parties.
It further said that the government has not forced Foreign Service employees to sign up for a political party illegally and cautioned that all should not disseminate unsubstantiated information about the employees.
