UAE Ambassador, UN Envoy sacked after MP's anti-government audio leaks

Apr 7, 2026, 9:41 AM
Salma and Mohamed Hussain Shareef

Salma and Mohamed Hussain Shareef

Ambassador to the UAE Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva Dr. Salma Rasheed was sacked on Monday. 

They were sacked after a leaked audio recording of Maafannu Central MP Asma Rasheed, a member of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), revealed that she campaigned against the government for the April 4 referendum and local council elections.

Shareef is Asma's son and Salma is her sister. 

Ruling party MP campaigned against government in elections, reveals leaked audio

A leaked audio recording reveals that ruling People’s National Congress MP Asma Rasheed actively campaigned against her own government during recent elections. In the recording, Asma advises supporters to withhold campaign efforts until specific positions are secured and claims that President Mohamed Muizzu cannot win re-election without her support.

In the recording of a conversation between Asma and a PNC member, the MP is heard advising the individual not to be swayed by the government’s rhetoric and to refrain from participating in any PNC campaign activities until a supervisor position is secured. 

According to a senior government official, Mundhu and Salma were sacked after the audio recording was leaked after the government's election defeat.

“The main reason is the audio,” he said.

He also said that State Minister at the Fisheries Ministry Aminath Hussain Shareef is also expected to be sacked. She is Asma's daughter. 

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