Ghassan contradicts Pres; says amendment of agreements incomplete

Defense Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon on Tuesday has contradicted President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu when he said the amendment of agreements Maldives has entered with other nations is still ongoing.

President Muizzu, during a record 14-hour press conference on Saturday, said all concerning agreements have been revoked, adding there are no longer any agreements executed during the last MDP administration that warrants concern.

In this regard, he detailed that concerning clauses in agreements have been amended.

However, while answering questions at the Parliament on Tuesday, Ghassan said the amendment of military agreements executed with other nations that contain concerning clauses is still ongoing.

“..as the honorable lawmaker has said just now, and as the President has said during the press conference, [agreements] have been amended and are still being amended to ensure it poses no threat to Maldives’ sovereignty and independence through diplomatic ties established between both nations,” he said.

Ghassan highlighted that efforts were especially being made to amend the agreement related to the development of the Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF), which is being developed with assistance form India. He added that the work is being carried out by a high-level coordination committee incepted for the purpose, comprising of appointees from both nations.

During the last presidential elections, President Muizzu campaigned on the promise of disclosing “unknown” agreements the last MDP administration has executed with India, which he claimed contained clauses that threatened Maldives’ sovereignty and independence.  

The current administration has come under fire after failure to disclose these agreements more than one year after assuming office.

Ghassan, on Tuesday, echoed President Muizzu’s earlier remarks at Saturday’s press conference, citing the agreements have not been disclosed to date due to confidentiality clauses they contain.

Ruling PNC’s Central Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Azan Marzooq responded to the remarks, by stressing an agreement which cannot be disclosed to Parliament’s Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee) should not exist.

In response, Ghassan said the government will fully respect the powers and privileges of the Parliament, adding all information that can be disclosed with 241 Committee will be relayed.