Mohamed Muizzu

Mohamed Muizzu ( dv, ޑރ. މުޙައްމަދު މުޢިއްޒު; born 15 June 1978) is a Maldivian politician who is currently serving as president of the Maldives since 17 November 2023. He was selected for his party's nomination after former president Abdulla Yameen was jailed for serious corruption charges. He was chosen as his successor since Abdulla Yameen was ineligible to run for elections.

He served as Housing Minister under President Waheed Hassan and Abdulla Yameen, and was serving Mayor of Malé before being nominated as the People's National Congress candidate for the 2023 presidential election, in which he defeated then-president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Early career

Education

Muizzu went to Majeediyya School, the oldest school in Maldives. He earned his bachelor's and master's degree in structural engineering at the University of London, and he earned his PhD in civil engineering at the University of Leeds. His PhD thesis concerned "Thermal and time-dependent effects on monolithic reinforced concrete roof slab-wall joints" and was awarded in 2009. He has also attained Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from America's Project Management Institute (PMI).

Government jobs

He began working for the government in 1998, as a Construction & Public Works Planning Technician Trainee at the Ministry of Construction and Public Works. Muizzu also served as the Governor of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

Political career

Minister of Housing (2012–2018)

In 2012, Muizzu assumed the role of Minister of Housing and Environment during the administration of President Waheed as a member of the Adhaalath Party. He continued in this post after the 2013 Presidential Election under President Abdulla Yameen's administration . By this time Muizzu was a member of the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), part of a coalition government. The Ministry of Housing and Environment was later restructured and renamed as the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure during his five-year term in office.

Works during the Ministry

During this time, Muizzu oversaw several infrastructure projects including the Sinamalé Bridge. The bridge connected the capital city of Malé to the Velana International Airport on the island of Hulhulé, and is the first inter-island bridge in Maldivian history.

The rest of his term as Minister saw further infrastructure projects completed, including the construction of numerous harbors, jetties, parks, mosques, public buildings, sporting facilities, and roads. Muizzu also oversaw the introduction of modern asphalt paving techniques on the streets of Malé, and the implementation of new building and maintenance codes.

Progressive Party of Maldives

Following the 2018 presidential election, Muizzu left the MDA and joined the party of the outgoing president, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). In 2019, Muizzu was appointed the vice-president and the head of the Elections Department of the then-opposition (PPM).

Mayor Of Malé

Mayoral Election 2021

In 2021, Muizzu was elected mayor of Malé defeating the candidate from the then-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party with a vote of 12470.

Muizzu was the First Mayor of Malé, to be directly elected by the people of Malé. He also became the First Mayor of Malé to be elected for a 5-year term. After 11 Years and 3 consecutive terms of rival Maldivian Democratic Party's control over Malé city council. Muizzu was elected to Mayor from Progressive Party of Maldives.

Mayor of Malé (2021–2023)

During his Mayor term, Muizzu Kept working closely with the people in Malé, making house calls to gain a better understanding of the living conditions in Malé, and actively advocating for decentralization and empowerment of local bodies.

Muizzu was the Mayor of Malé from 17 May, 2021 until his resignation on 17 November, 2023

President of PPM–PNC Coalition

On 5 October 2023 Muizzu was appointed as the president of People's National Congress, he assumed the role upon his victory in the presidential election .
and on december 2023, Muizzu was appointed as the president of PNC's sister party, Progressive Party of Maldives because former party leader, Abdulla Yameen left the party on November 23 to create his own political party .

2023 campaign and election

Following the conviction of former president and opposition leader Abdulla Yameen for embezzlement, Muizzu was nominated as the presidential candidate for the People's National Congress (PNC), part of the opposition coalition, with MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef as his running mate. In the first round of the 2023 Maldivian presidential election, he received 46.06% of the vote, a plurality, and advanced to the second round on 30 September 2023. He was elected president in the second round, winning 54.04% against the incumbent Solih's 46.04%. Muizzu was sworn in as the new president on 17 November 2023.

Muizzu has also pledged to release former President Yameen from prison.

Presidency (2023–present)

Inauguration

On November 17, 2023, Muizzu was sworn in as the 9th President of the Republic of Maldives; the fourth to be democratically elected, he is also the 6th person from Malé to become president.

First and second official trip

On 26 November 2023, Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed went on their first official trip to Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz met Muizzu in Ankara.

His second trip was to the United Arab Emirates, to attend the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai.

First 100 days

Freedom and sovereignty of the Maldives

In Muizz's 100 Days, he started the withdrawal of the Indian troops in the Maldives.

Muizzu started the process of bringing an end to the secret agreements made by the previous governments with other countries that threatened the independence and sovereignty of the Maldives and appeal against the ruling of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to lose part of the South Sea within the Exclusive Economic Zone.

Foreign Policy of the presidency

On 20 August 2023 at Muizz's manifesto launch, he said his government he would make its foreign policy in a way that prioritizes maintaining close relations with countries while also preserving the Maldives' independence. He stressed that his government would not align exclusively with any single nation.

China and India relations

On 7 January 2024, Muizzu arrived in China on a invitation extended by President Xi Jinping. as a China-pro candidate, Muizzu's presidential campaign focused on reducing Indian influence in Maldivian affairs. Observers have described him as pro-China.
On 13 January 2024, in the interview after coming back from China, Muizzu said,

In the late, January 2024, Muizzu said that China–Maldives relations are based upon four principles: mutual respect, sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal matters.

Muizzu remarked that China respects the territorial sovereignty of the Maldives just as the Maldives fully accept China's One China policy

In interviews prior to taking office, Muizzu has said that all Indian troops should leave the Maldives. As of 2021, the Maldivian Defence Ministry said about 75 Indian personnel were based in the country, operating aircraft given to the Maldives by India.

United States

Muizzu maintained the relations with the United States as other Maldivian governments do, and in January 2024, Maldivian government announced that Muizzu's government has been discussing to United States government for PayPal services in the Maldives., In 4 January 2024, Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer received a phone call from the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, During the phone call, Minister Zameer and Blinken reflected on the renewed vigour of the bilateral relations between the Maldives and the United States, and discussed on further strengthening the existing bilateral partnership.

The discussions between Minister Zameer and Secretary Blinken centred on a wide range of issues, including defence cooperation, economic development, climate change and adaptation, democratic governance, and the rule of law.

Economic Policy

In January 2024, Muizzu decided to establish a development bank in the Maldives and undertake a review of the Economic Policies.
Following the Cabinet discussion on a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Muizzu decided to establish the ''Maldives International Financial Services Authority''.
Muizzu has also decided to form a creative economy in the Maldives.

During the , Muizzu announced that the construction of two new airports will be started . These projects aim to expand transportation services and boost the economy.

Personal life

In an interview during Muizz's Election, Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha highlighted that they Met on Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in April 2003, Before meeting, they kept chatting.
Muizzu married Sajidha Mohamed on 18 May 2003; they have three children, Yasmine, Umair and Zaid.

Muizzu born 15 June 1978 in the capital of the Maldives, Malé.
He was born to Sheikh Hussain Abdul Rahman and Husna Adam. Muizzu's Father, Abdul Rahman (1944–2015) was a former judge and scholar of religion who in 2013 received the National Award of Honour from then-president Waheed for "contribution in the area of religious awareness and religious education".

Muizzu has a half-sister Fathimath Saudha, who is a PNC candidate for the Nilandhoo constituency.

Honors

''Maldives National Association of Construction Industry'' (MNACI)'s Highest Honor conferred the "Bodu Rasgefaanu title" on Mohamed Muizzu, Muizzu received the title in appreciation of his contributions to the Maldives construction industry.

References

External links

* of the President of the Maldives
* own website
* on X
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Muizzu, Mohamed
1978 births
Living people
People from Malé
Maldivian politicians
Candidates for President of the Maldives
Mayors of places in the Maldives
21st-century Maldivian politicians
Presidents of the Maldives
Alumni of the University of Leeds
Maldivian Muslims
Adhaalath Party politicians
Progressive Party of Maldives politicians