As President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu marks the first anniversary of his election to office, he has made significant changes to his cabinet, replacing key ministers less than a year into his administration. The shake-up includes the removal of Finance Minister Dr. Mohamed Shafeeq, who has been replaced by Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer. Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has been appointed as the new Foreign Minister, and Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has been promoted to Health Minister.

As Dr. Muizzu nears a year in office, his decision to reshuffle cabinet has raised eyebrows, particularly given the nation’s current economic challenges and recent controversies.

The ousting of Dr. Mohamed Shafeeq comes at a time when the Maldives is grappling with severe financial strains, including heavy national debt and upcoming foreign repayments. The decision has not been publicly explained, fuelling speculation over the reasons for this abrupt change. The finance ministry has been a focal point of concern, with the country struggling to navigate fiscal deficits and maintain economic stability.

The reshuffle also follows closely on the heels of a tense standoff between the government and the nation’s primary financial institution, the Bank of Maldives (BML). The government has been critical of BML's recent changes to its card policies, calling the move an “attempted coup” against the administration.

The cabinet reshuffle, coming so early in President Muizzu’s term, signals potential realignments in the administration’s priorities and strategic direction. As the President continues to shape his administration, these changes could set the tone for the rest of his term in office. However, without a clear rationale provided for the sudden changes, questions remain as to what prompted the reshuffle and what it means for the future of the Muizzu administration.