MNDF Begins Redeveloping Bandarakoshee Barracks to Build Apartments for Soldiers Amid Rasmalé Sale Plan

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has announced the start of redevelopment work on the Bandarakoshee Barracks to provide apartments for service members. The move is seen as part of efforts to secure the support of the military for the government's plan to sell Rasmalé. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the MNDF said it has begun work to redevelop Bandarakoshee 1 and 2, which currently provide temporary accommodation for soldiers and police officers. The project aims to build a larger number of apartments so that more service personnel can be housed during their period of service. The statement said that temporarily, soldiers living in the barracks will be relocated while construction is underway. However, upon completion, a greater number of soldiers and police officers will have access to housing. Government officials are working to finalise the sale of Rasmalé, the 500-hectare artificial island built on Fushidhiggaru Falhu at state expense. A commercial terms agreement was signed with the UAE-based Eagle Hills on September 21, with the permanent agreement set to be signed on November 11, which is also Republic Day in the Maldives. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had previously pledged that not a single grain of sand from Rasmalé would be rented or given to a foreign entity. Speaking at a ceremony at Kalhuthukkala Koshi on Tuesday night to mark Armed Forces Day, the President reiterated that the land belongs to Maldivian citizens and would not be given to any foreign party. The government says it is leasing Rasmalé for 99 years. However, Eagle Hills has reportedly stated that if the land is sold before the first 99-year lease expires, a new 99-year lease period would begin.