No agreement involving Haa Dhaal Makunudhoo was signed with China during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's state visit as alleged by the opposition, the government has said.
Talk of a military agreement concerning Makundhoo first started on social media. After that, opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail alleged at a rally on January 11 that 30 agreements had been signed with China despite the government claiming to have signed 20 MoUs. The secret agreements included one about Makunudhoo, he alleged.
"Our people want to know what was signed with China about Makunudhoo. We want to know to whom and for what purpose they're planning to give the Makunudhoo area after bringing everyone from Bodu Thiladhunmathi to Fushidhiggaru," Fayyaz said that night.
Asked about Fayyaz's allegation, President's Office Communications Manager Ibrahim Khaleel told Adhadhu that the aim of every agreement signed with India was the development of the Maldives and the Maldivian people.
"No agreement was made specifically for a particular people or particular island," Khaleel said.
Despite Khaleel's denial of an agreement related to Makunudhoo, he did not provide any clarification about an agreement signed by Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon during the President's trip.
The government will disclose details about the agreements and the President will meet the press, he said. But he did not say when the details would be revealed.
