Maldives Pres. Ushers a New Generation of Leaders

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Maldives President Ushers a New Generation of Leaders

Male’, 14 July 2005 (Thursday) - The President of the Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, today announced sweeping changes in his Ministerial line-up, both at Cabinet, Minister of State and Deputy-Minister level, aimed at speeding up the pace of delivery as the island nation strives to recover from the December 2004 tsunami.

Speaking on Television Maldives following the swearing-in of the new Ministers, President Gayoom said:

This is a time of great change for the Maldives, as we continue to drive forward our programme of Constitutional reform. But even as we debate the future shape of our democracy, we must not lose sight of the more immediate responsibilities of government.

The devastation wrought by the Indian Ocean tsunami, barely six months ago, will continue to affect the livelihoods, economy and infrastructure of the Maldives for many years to come. Rebuilding our country following the tsunami is the greatest challenge ever faced by the Maldivian people. The changes I am making to my Cabinet will bring in, at the top level of government, a new generation of strong leaders who will deliver on the needs and policy questions facing the Maldives today. More than ever we need a dynamic, vibrant and capable government which can rise up to this challenge.

Shortly after his appointment Mohamed Waheed Deen, newly-appointed Minister of Atolls Development, said:

I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve my President and my country in the capacity as Atolls Minister. Now more than ever, the Maldives needs strong and decisive action to rebuild our and lives. We must bring a common and shared sense of purpose to our communities, particularly those who have been displaced or separated as a result of the tsunami.

It is not for nothing that world’s major languages have adopted the word ‘Atoll’ from the Dhivehi. We Maldivians know, more than the rest of the world, what is needed to build strong and sustained island communities. My background as a businessman and philanthropist has exposed and educated me to the raft of social issues which face our disparate atoll communities. I believe that this knowledge, combined with the determination to see our nation forge ahead, will equip me to carry out my duties as Minister and to help strengthen the core building-blocks of Maldivian society – the Atolls.

Emerging from the President’s Office, Justice Minister Mohamed Jameel Ahmed commented:

The past year has seen the beginnings of considerable and radical reform to the Maldivian judicial sector. Having accepted the post of Justice Minister I am excited to be the man chosen by our President to rebuild public confidence in our judicial system. As Minister I shall ensure that our cadres of judicial officials are expanded and trained to the highest levels of competence, and that our judicial processes achieve the highest levels of transparency and fairness in accordance with international best practice.

I join my newly-appointed colleagues in thanking President Gayoom for the privilege and opportunity of serving in his Cabinet, and promise to serve the President and the Maldivian people to the best of my ability.

Notes for editors:

(a) The newly-appointed Ministers are:

· Mr. Ahmed Abdulla as the Minister of Environment, Energy and Water;

· Mr. Abdulla Yameen as the Minister of Education, Employment and Social Security;

· Mr. Ilyas Ibrahim as the Minister of Health;

· Ms Aneesa Ahmed as the Minister of the President’s Office;

· Mr. Midhath Hilmy as an Ambassador;

· Dr. Mahmood Shaugee as the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation;

· Mr. Mohamed Jaleel as the Minister of Economic Development and Trade;

· Mr. Mohamed Hussain as the Minister of Presidential Affairs;

· Mr. Mohamed Saeed as the Minister of Transport and Communication;

· Dr. Ahmed Shaheed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs;

· Mr. Mohamed Mauroof Jameel as the Minister of Construction and Public Infrastructure;

· Mr. Mohamed Nasheed as the Minister of Information and Arts;

· Mr. Ahmed Thasmeen Ali as the Minister of Home Affairs;

· Mr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed as the Minister of Justice;

· Mr. Mohamed Waheed Deen as the Minister of Atolls Development;

· Ms Aishath Mohamed Didi as the Minister of Gender and Family;

· Mr. Ibrahim Rafeeq as the Minister of Housing and Urban Development; and,

· Mr. Abdulla Shahid as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

ENDS

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