Maldives’ Terrorist Extremist Problem Spikes as Hundreds Flee to Join Violent Groups

Terrorism has become a growing concern for the Maldivian government, with at least 50 citizens having joined foreign terrorist fighters, and opposition parties estimating the number to be as high as 200. The revelation comes as Malaysia arrests four Maldivian nationals suspected of attempting to travel to Syria to fight with terrorist groups.

Government Efforts to Combat Terrorism

The Maldivian authorities have been working to address the issue by passing a new “Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act” (PMLFT) in October. The legislation defines acts of terrorism and sets forth penalties for those convicted or inciting others to commit such acts. However, critics argue that the law is being used to arrest political opponents and restrict civil liberties.

Challenges in Combating Terrorism Finance

Despite efforts to combat terrorism financing, authorities admit they lack reliable information on the amounts involved. The Maldivian Central Bank believes criminal proceeds mainly come from domestic sources, while informal money transfer networks (hawala) are reportedly used to transfer funds between islands.

International Cooperation and Capacity Building

The government has been working with international partners to improve its counterterrorism capabilities. The Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance program provided training to the Maldivian Police Service, Coast Guard, and port and border control officers. The Maldives participated in a regional conference on counterterrorism in New Delhi, where experts shared expertise on addressing issues generated by foreign terrorist fighters.

Limitations in Information Sharing

However, information sharing among agencies is limited, with the police randomly questioning citizens traveling to Turkey as part of an effort to stem the flow of would-be foreign terrorist fighters. The government’s Human Rights Commission has called for a review of the PMLFT due to its narrowing of constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights.

The Road Ahead

As the Maldives grapples with the growing threat of terrorism, it remains unclear whether its efforts will be sufficient to combat the problem. With hundreds of citizens believed to have joined violent extremist groups, the country faces a daunting challenge in preventing further radicalization and extremism.