Former President and current Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has publicized an open letter critical of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, his coalition partner Adhaalath party and the current administration.
The letter which was published from the Office of President Mohamed Nasheed stated that the current ruling party Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) won the 2018 Presidential election due to the people’s love for MDP’s principle and the vibrant Maldivian culture and heritage. In the letter former President Mohamed Nasheed stated that they were only able to achieve political progress with the aid of their coalition partners.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed then stated that incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih allowed the Islamist minority party Adhaalath, to “monopolize his every decision” and “violated every principle of our representative democracy”.
He continued on to state that the people cherish liberty, music, freedom of expression and cultural and economic prosperity. Former President Mohamed Nasheed stated that Maldivian voted for a “Progressive” candidate and did not vote for religious extremists.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed then highlighted that the current administration has finally recognized the threats of religious extremism in the Maldives after the assassination attempt against himself.
He noted that the bill which criminalizes the labelling of people as irreligious was revoked by the current administration after mounting pressure from its coalition partner, in this case the Adhaalath Party. He continued on to stated that as such he finds it difficult to continue to support a government which lacks the leadership to support the principles which it stands for.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed ended his letter stating that “We must never—out of fear—simply handover the reins of democratic leadership and the course of Maldivian progress to fringe factions, or to a minor coalition partner that did not carry the vote.”.
Tensions within the ruling coalition and main ruling party MDP has been at an all-time high following the 06th Terror attack following which former President Mohamed Nasheed has been seeking treatment in Germany and England. President Mohmed Nasheed who recently announced that he would be the Presidential candidate for the 2023 Presidential Election has been at the odds with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who now struggle to maintain control over the government, his coalition and his own party MDP.