President Muizzu Appoints Aishath Azima Shakoor as Principal Secretary for Sovereignty

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has appointed Aishath Azima Shakoor as the Principal Secretary to the President for National Territory and Sovereignty. The appointment, which carries ministerial rank, places one of the country's most experienced legal minds in a critical role overseeing the nation's territorial integrity. Shakoor brings over three decades of legal expertise to the presidency. She holds a distinguished record in public service, having served in the Cabinet under three different presidential administrations. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the first female Attorney General in the Maldives, reflecting her trailblazing role in the nation's legal landscape. Beyond her executive experience, Shakoor has been a central figure in the Maldives' legislative evolution. She previously served as a Member of Parliament and contributed to the Constitutional Assembly. Her professional background is underpinned by a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of London and a Master of Laws from the University of Western Australia. Throughout her career, Shakoor has specialized in governance, constitutional law, and law reform. She played a pivotal role in the formulation and implementation of the landmark 2004 government reform agenda, establishing her as a key architect of the country's modern legal framework. In addition to her state service, Shakoor is widely recognized for her commitment to human rights and social advocacy. She co-founded 'Hope for Women,' an organization dedicated to women's rights, and 'Faalange,' which advocates for the rights of people with disabilities. Her dedication to justice extends to her private legal practice, where she has provided pro bono legal counsel to victims of domestic and sexual violence. This appointment signals a strategic move by the administration to leverage Shakoor's deep institutional knowledge and legal authority to manage the complex issues surrounding national territory and sovereignty.