Maldives’ capital, Male, recently witnessed a significant political shift as the pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) secured victory in the civic body elections. Adam Aziz of the MDP emerged as the new Mayor of Male, succeeding Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. This electoral outcome is noteworthy against the backdrop of the Maldives government’s apparent pro-China stance and ongoing diplomatic tensions with India.
Adam Aziz clinched victory in the Male polls by defeating the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) candidate, Azima Shakoor. Aziz secured nearly 45% of the votes, while Shakoor garnered 29%. The mayoral position became vacant when Muizzu resigned to participate in the elections last year. Interestingly, the election witnessed a low voter turnout, with only 17,500 out of 54,680 eligible voters exercising their franchise.
Notably, Ahmed Aziz, the newly elected Mayor of Male and a member of the MDP, is the brother of Colonel Mohamed Nazim, a senior leader of the PNC. Aziz has reportedly overseen projects worth millions in the previous administration under former President Mohamed Solih.
These election results unfolded as Mohamed Muizzu returned to Maldives after a five-day state visit to China. During his visit to Beijing, Muizzu signed multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and urged China to boost tourism to Maldives. However, upon his return, Muizzu emphasized that although Maldives is a small island nation, it should not be subject to external pressures. He stated that the Indian Ocean belongs to no particular country and that Maldives is not confined to anyone’s backyard.
Muizzu’s return coincided with a diplomatic dispute with India, sparked by a social media trend that escalated into a major controversy. Certain Maldives ministers, including some from Muizzu’s government, made remarks widely perceived as racist and disparaging towards Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In response, the Maldives government distanced itself from these remarks and suspended the implicated members.
The People’s National Congress (PNC), led by Muizzu, is viewed as having a stance unfavorable to India while aligning with Chinese interests in the island nation. Despite being Asia’s smallest country, Maldives historically maintained a delicate balance with its neighbors. It heavily relies on India for its tourism industry, while China serves as its principal external creditor.
Following his party’s defeat in the Male elections, Muizzu’s office issued a social media post where the President congratulated Adam Aziz on his mayoral victory. Muizzu expressed the government’s commitment to providing full cooperation to the City Council and the newly elected Mayor.
This political development highlights the evolving dynamics in the Maldives’ geopolitical landscape, where domestic elections reflect the delicate equilibrium between pro-India and pro-China sentiments. The outcome raises questions about the future trajectory of Maldives’ foreign policy and its impact on regional relations. The low voter turnout also underscores the need for political engagement and awareness among the citizenry as the nation navigates complex international relationships.