Ibrahim Faisal, the Tourism Minister in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, has been dismissed from his position. Faisal, the son of Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Speaker of the Parliament and chairperson of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), had been appointed to the cabinet on November 17, 2023.
The President’s Office confirmed Faisal’s dismissal on Tuesday, but did not provide specific reasons for the decision. Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has been appointed to temporarily oversee the Tourism Ministry until a replacement is found.
Faisal’s appointment had drawn criticism, with opposition figures accusing President Muizzu of nepotism, though the government did not address these claims. Faisal also faced scrutiny over his proficiency in the English language. He acknowledged his challenges with English and hired a language coach to improve his skills, but maintained that it did not affect his ability to perform his duties.
The move comes amid reports of growing tensions within the PNC, particularly between President Muizzu and Abdul Raheem Abdulla. Raheem, who was once Muizzu’s close ally, resigned from his position as special advisor to contest the 2024 parliamentary elections. After the PNC won a supermajority in Parliament, Raheem was elected Speaker, further fueling the internal party dynamics.
