Foreign Ministry Denies Report That Ambassador Ahmed Sareer Was Removed for Not Signing With PNC

The Foreign Ministry has denied a news report published by the newspaper "Adhadhu" claiming that the Maldives' Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Sareer, was removed from his post because he did not sign with the PNC. In a statement issued tonight, the Foreign Ministry said that the appointment and removal of ambassadors is a matter carried out under the Maldives Foreign Service Act, according to specific procedures, and that such decisions are made under the authority vested in the President. The ministry said Sareer has held a political post at the Foreign Ministry at the level of State Minister as Ambassador at Large since 3 January 2024, and that he was appointed as an ambassador on 30 October 2024. The ministry said these two dates show that the information in the Adhadhu newspaper regarding the ambassador is incorrect. The ministry also said that, under the Foreign Service Code of Conduct, Foreign Service employees cannot be a member of a political party. It further said that the government has not forced Foreign Service employees to sign with a political party in violation of the law. The article was published at 00:09 on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, under the Foreign Ministry category.