The following lists events that happened during 2024 in the Maldives.
Incumbents
President: Mohamed Muizzu Vice President: Hussain Mohamed Latheef Majlis speaker: Mohamed Aslam (until 28 May) Abdul Raheem Abdulla (from 28 May) Chief Justice: Ahmed Muthasim Adnan Majlis
Events
January 3 January: Private companies are allowed to operate drug rehabilitation centres in the country. 4 January: President Mohamed Muizzu launches a multimillion-dollar project to upgrade Velana International Airport (VIA) to boost the capacity to 25 million passengers, resulting in the relocation of seaplane terminals to Funadhoo for the project to continue. The Maldives International Financial Services Authority was established on 21 January 2024, under the ministry of Economic Development and Trade. 7 January: Malé Prison is relocated due to its close proximity to other schools and colleges. The National Anthem begins playing every day at schools.
8 January: 2024 India-Maldives diplomatic row: Three deputy ministers who worked at the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts were suspended for insulting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X when he posted a photo of him in Lakshadweep. The Youth Ministry officials made derogatory remarks about the Indian Prime Minister. As the Maldives is a Muslim nation, and strongly supports Palestine on Israel's Invasion in Gaza, it prompted diplomatic tensions about India-Maldives relations and boycott movement in India targeting Maldives tourism. 10 January: Indian hackers attack the website of the Juvenile Court of the Maldives. 12 January: Malé and other islands experience flooding. Hulhumalé Cemetery is flooded and bodies that were to be buried are moved to Galolhu Cemetery in Malé. The weather causes flight delays and damages one plane, as well as submerging 144 houses and displacing several hundred residents. It recorded 159mm of rainfall, the highest in recorded history. The court trial of actor Mohamed Yunan and his wife Fathimath Rihula ends. They are charged with multiple counts of sexually abusing children in their family from 2019 to 2020. 13 January: Voters in Malé vote for a new mayor. Adam Azim wins the election. 14 January: The Maldives calls for the complete withdrawal of the Indian Armed Forces from its territory by March 15 amid a diplomatic dispute between the two countries. India currently has around 80 troops stationed on the archipelago. President Muizzu gives India until March 15 to remove all troops. Education Ministry and Maldives Government announces "Nationalism" be taught in schools starting from the next academic year as a new subject. 15 January: The government sends a private flight to Turkey to bring back Maldivian ex-fighters that were displaced during the Syrian civil war. Dharumavantha Hospital succeeds Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital as the primary government hospital. The government allows temporary fostering of children under state custody. 16 January: Air in Malé becomes unusually polluted due to the change in season from Hulhangu (Southwest monsoon) to Iruvai (Northeast monsoon), with the air quality index being 168. Urbanco begins calling itself Housing Development Corporation (HDC) due to public confusion relating to its name. 17 January: Maldives controls the spread of Hepatitis B and is given recognition by the World Health Organization. 18 January: The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) mandates that individuals wishing to participate in parliamentary elections must open separate bank accounts. The government constructs temporary mosques in Phase II of Hulhumalé for Ramadan. 20 January: Hong Kong Airlines resumes direct flights to Maldives. 21 January: The government establishes the Maldives International Financial Services Authority, which will function under the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. 23 January: Adam Azim is sworn in as the new Mayor of Malé. 25 January: The first session of Ahaa, a public forum of ministers, is held at Sultan Park. Maldivian expands operations to Hoarafushi Airport. 26 January: Malé City Council and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare sign an agreement to develop a temporary cat shelter. 27 January: New police stations are established in Baa Atoll Maalhos, and Kihaadhoo, and Noonu Atoll Henbadhoo and, Lhohi. 28 January: The People's Majlis sees clashes erupt between minority ruling party MPs and majority opposition MPs over a crucial vote on President Muizzu's Cabinet. The main opposition party MDP along with The Democrats decide to withhold parliamentary approval for four members of Muizzu's cabinet ahead of the voting on the cabinet. MPs from the People's National Congress obstruct the sitting, as a protest began outside in defense of the ministers. Several lawmakers were injured and one ruling party member was hospitalised. Ruling party members submit a No-confidence trial against Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem. 29 January: Opposition party members including Maldivian Democratic Party and The Democrats submit an Impeachment motion against President Muizzu. The People's Majlis approves 19 Cabinet ministers and rejects three others, namely Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Minister of Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheem and Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development Ali Haidar Ahmed. Government reintroduces helicopter flight services. Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) bans Toblerone after it was found by the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed that a batch was contaminated with plastic. 30 January: Ministers who were rejected by parliament are re-appointed by President Muizzu. ECM opens applications for parliamentary elections. MFDA orders a Panadol recall after discovering quality issues and defects with the medicine. Dhiraagu signs a partnership agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to restore the damage caused to Rasfari reef. 31 January: Protests occur over Club Valencia board transfer where it is alleged that Mohamed Tholal, the sports commissioner, changed the board members without the club knowing, causing Bassam Adeel Jaleel, ex-president of FAM to lose control over the club. Desalination plants are established in five islands with Chinese aid. Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem is attacked on the street with a hammer, resulting in him being admitted to ADK Hospital. The MNDF has since strengthened his security detail. The attackers are found to have stalked him for hours beforehand and concealed their identity using helmets. The police summon former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih after his statement which suggested he has credible information. Foreign military boards vessels in Maldives Ocean Territory, which is believed to be Indian Coast Guard or Navy by the Yellowfin Tuna Fisherman's Union (Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union).
February
1 February: The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) files charges against Ex-President of FAM, Bassam Abdul Jaleel. Maldives faces a lack of several common medicines. Bar Council President Ismail Visham dies. MP Eva Abdulla submits a motion to review the reappointment of ministers that were dismissed in parliament. India assigns US$93 million to be used as free aid to the Maldives. 2 February: A state owned enterprise, Public Service Media (PSM), hosts parliamentary debates featuring candidates running for all 93 constituencies, which was planned to be hosted in the auditorium of the Maldives National University. The two people connected to the attack on PG Hussain Shameem are arrested. A case of whooping cough is detected in GA and Villingili. India hosts a second round of deliberations to remove foreign military presence and agrees to remove all military by May 10. The Ministry of Defence identifies foreign military that boarded local vessels as Indian Coastguard Ships 246 and 253. Maldives also requests India to write a response to explain the jurisdiction behind Indian Coastguards boarding and operating in Maldives EEZ. A car crashes into solar panels in Sinamalé Bridge, resulting in both the car and the solar panels being damaged. A case is filed in the Civil Court regarding the results of the Henveiru Central constituency in ruling PPM/PNC primaries. 3 February: The Maldives and India agree to replace military personnel with civil personnel. 4 February: President Muizzu announces that Eid al-Fitr (20 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal) is an Annual Holiday starting that year. 5 February: Opposition parties, including MDP and The Democrats, boycott this year's presidential address due to Muizzu's failure on security in parliamentarians during the 28 January brawl. 7 February: The government submits the re-appointed ministers to parliament. 8 February: Dhivehi and Islam are announced to continue being taught abroad to Maldivians in the next week. 9 February: New policy to carry out medical checkups for immigrant workers. 10 February: The Animal Welfare Ministry hands over plot required to make a cat facility to Male' City Council. 500 athletes from 31 schools across the Maldives attend the Inter-School Athletics Meet in Addu City hosted by the Athletics Association of Maldives. 11 February: Ahmed Shaheer appointed as Chairman of Fenaka First female Atoll Council President elected, the new president is Hawwa Abdul Azees of Faafu Atoll Council. 12 February: Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) chairman Mohamed Umar Manik (MU Manik) resigns. Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem proposes an amendment to summon President Muizzu and Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef to parliament for questioning. Applications for the taxi driver register open. 13 February: The Government announces plans to submit 24 bills to parliament. Civil Court orders ECM to pay as compensation to Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) for dissolving the party. Applications open for MDP President. 14 February: Installation of additional elevators in Hulhumale' Hiya Flats is contracted to a Chinese company. Younger children being enrolled to higher preschool grades is announced to be repeated. The no confidence motion against Speaker Aslam and Deputy Speaker Saleem is withdrawn. An Embassy of Maldives is established in Ankara Turkey. XiamenAir's first flight lands in the Maldives. 15 February: Health Ministry plans to build a cancer hospital behind Dharumavantha Hospital. Maldives High Court stops Gulhifalhu reclamation due to a court case being filed that it was being conducted in an unfriendly way to the environment. The state appeals to the Supreme Court. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) conducts food inspection to food outlets in Malé, Hulhumalé and Villingili. ECM announces timeframe for candidate withdrawal in the upcoming parliamentary elections. 20 February: Abdulla Shahid wins the MDP presidency as sole candidate. Department of National Registry (DNR) changes policy to allow issuance of ID cards to other individuals if they come with a letter by the owner permitting access. 21 February: The Maldives’ donation of two million tuna cans to the Gaza Strip is delayed. National Mental Helpline is established, its helpline number being 1677. The Indian High Commission in Maldives confirms that onion exports will proceed under a separate bilateral agreement. The new apron of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport is officially opened for operations. 22 February: Bank of Maldives (BML) opens a self-service ATM in Gulhi and Keyodhoo. The MFDA reissues a permit for Panadol use and distribution. The Maldives delivers a statement to ICJ on behalf of the Palestinian people upon request by the Government of Palestine. The ACC opens investigation into allegations of corruption involving former parliamentarians and government ministers. The Housing Ministry launches 'Hiyaavehi' housing portal which is accessible in eFaas. The MDP submits anti-defection bill to parliament to prevent floor crossing. 23 February: