Despite repeated pledges of transparency, the asset declarations of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, cabinet ministers, and senior government officials have not yet been made public.
On November 19, 2023, during the second day of President Muizzu’s administration, Presidential Office Undersecretary Mohamed Firuzul stated that the President intended to publicly disclose financial statements.
However, as the government marks 576 days in office, the promised asset declarations have still not been published on the President’s Office website.
When Adhadhu reached out for an update, an official from the Auditor General’s Office confirmed that some financial statements had been submitted to the office.
However, the official clarified that while the names of those who submitted their declarations may be made public, the content of the statements will not be disclosed by their office.
The continued delay has drawn criticism and sparked allegations of fraud and corruption against several top officials, including President Muizzu. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has received multiple complaints related to the lack of disclosure.
By contrast, during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration, asset declarations of the President, Vice President Faisal Naseem, and senior officials were publicly disclosed on January 10, 2019, just 55 days after taking office. Subsequent declarations, including those of state ministers and deputy ministers, were published on the President’s Office website and updated annually.
President Muizzu, during the presidential election campaign, repeatedly emphasized his commitment to transparency. Speaking at a rally in Laamu Gan on September 25, he stated:
“I won't leave anything to be hidden in any government office. I won't let the public or journalists be unable to learn something.”
To date, however, the government has not fulfilled that promise.
