Opposition coalition names 19 ministers in the Shadow Cabinet

A Shadow Cabinet has been established by the opposition coalition as the former Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Jameel as the leader and the MDP Chairperson, Ali Waheed as the Deputy Leader.

At a special ceremony held in London today, the Shadow Cabinet was announced by the former Vice President Dr. Jameel. While the former Minister at the President’s Office, Abdulla Ameen was named as the Defence Minister, while the former MP for the Kendhoo constituency, Ahmed Thasmeen was named as the Home Minister.

Former Defence Minister, Colonel-retired Mohamed Nazim and Ex-President Mohamed Nasheed along with the President of Adhaalath Party, Sheikh Imran Abdulla was named as advisors to the cabinet. All three of them are currently serving prison sentences.

Ministers in the Shadow Cabinet:

• Defence Minsiter - Abdulla Ameen

• Home Minister - Ahmed Thasmeen Ali

• Housing Minister - Ahmed Nasheed

• Education Minister - Shifaa Mohamed

• Higher Education Minister - Musthafa Luthufee

• Foreign Minister - Ahmed Naseem

• Finance Minister - Mohamed Shihaab

• Transport Minister - Adam Azmi

• Fisheries Minister - Ibrahim Ameer

• Environment Minister - Mohamed Aslam

• Judicial Minister - Hisaan Hussain

• Islamic Minister - Abdul Majeed Abdul Baree

• Sports Minister - Mohamed Shifaz

• Local Government Decentralization Minister - Gais Naseer

• Gender Minister - Shidhaathaa Shareef

• Guest House Minister - Mohamed Mahloof Jamal

• Independent Commission Minister - Ali Niyaz

• Constitutional Reform Minister - Hussain Shameem

• Spokesperson - Ahmed Mahloof

The list of Shadow Cabinet ministers announced by the opposition include extra positions that those currently in the Maldives. And so the Constitutional Reform Minister and the Guest House Minister is notable.

Representing Colonel-retired Nazim in the opposition coalition is his brother Adam Azim while the former Vice President Ahmed Adheeb is being represented by his wife, Liusha and the Adhaalath Party is being represented by Ali Zahir. MDP Chairperson, Ali Waheed and the MP for South Galolhu constituency, Ahmed Mahloof is also part of the opposition coalition.

Ex-President Mohamed Nasheed said that the leader of the alliance is the “elected Vice President” Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and said that the main objective of the coalition is to be free of the challenges facing the oppositions and bring democracy to the Maldives. And he said that they are working to hold an election before 2018 and the purpose is to establish a democratic government in the country. And the president of the that government would be Dr. Jameel.

Noting that an alliance was formed in 2008 and was later dispersed, President Nasheed said that this coalition is much stronger and bonded, and would be in the service of the country.