Malé, Maldives – President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has today appointed Ms Zaha Waheed as a Minister at the President’s Office. President Solih presented Ms Waheed with her letter of appointment at a special ceremony held this afternoon, at the President’s Office.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has today appointed Ms Zaha Waheed as a Minister at the President’s Office. President Solih presented Ms Waheed with her letter of appointment at a special ceremony held this afternoon, at the President’s Office.
Zaha Waheed had previously served the government in several key positions. Most recently, she served as the Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, from November 2018 until May 2021, when she resigned amid criticism from the public.
As Minister for the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, Zaha Waheed also faced dismissal through a no-confidence motion with signatures of 10 opposition parliamentarians earlier this year, which however did not go through after Kaashidhoo MP Jabir revoked his signature.
In addition to this Parliament’s Regulations Committee had also found Minister Zaha neglectful of her duties earlier this year following its review of the failure of the Fisheries Ministry to create many of the regulations required under the Fisheries Act – regulations which must be established within 90 days of the legislature’s enactment. Speaker of Parliament, Nasheed had also said that Minister Zaha had failed as a minister and that the next step is clear referring to a no-confidence.
MPs of the ruling party, MDP, have previously criticized the Zaha for failing to support efforts by the parliamentarians to develop the fisheries sector as the minister representing the sector.
Meanwhile, the leader of MRM, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom congratulated Zaha on her new appointment as Minister.
The statement by the President’s Office states that Zaha Waheed made invaluable contributions to the Maldives’ in fisheries, marine sciences and disaster management through years of diligent work, including establishing a National Platform for disaster risk reduction and enhancing community based disaster risk management programs.
