FM's post-UN return to Maldives unknown

Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Shahid, who recently completed his term as the president of the United Nations General Assembly, is yet to return to the Maldives and is not known when he will begin fulfilling his ministerial responsibilities in person. 

Following the expiry of his term at the General Assembly 19 days ago, on 12 September, he participated in UN General Assembly's high-level week as the Maldivian foreign minister. Engagements during the high-level week has since concluded, but Shahid is yet to return to the Maldives.

Shahid recently attended the funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Aba as a special envoy of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Although the foreign ministry said on Wednesday that Shahid had concluded his visit to Tokyo, the ministry did not specify where he travelled to after the visit.

Safaath Ahmed, a spokesperson at the foreign ministry, declined to comment on Shahid's travels and his return to the Maldives. 

"The minister's travel details cannot be shared," she said.

Safaath assured that Shahid is carrying out his ministerial responsibilities. He will also accompany President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to Bahrain soon, she added.

During his stint in New York, Shahid's salary as minister as well as some of his travelling expenses as the UN General Assembly president were borne by the Maldives. 

Some, including parliamentarians and lawyers, questioned the legality of assuming the presidency of the UN General Assembly while serving as a cabinet minister. 

Those opposed to the move said that it was against the spirit of the constitution to assume other responsibilities while taking salary as a minister. However, others say there is no problem in holding another position as minister as the UN General Assembly is not a salaries post.