Local

President has assured that no decision will be taken to harm the sovereignty of the Maldives

Published

1 year ago

27/10/2022

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has assured that no decision will be taken to harm the sovereignty of the Maldives in its dispute with Mauritius regarding the maritime boundary surrounding the Chagos Islands at the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and other foreign affairs. He made the statement while speaking at the special ceremony held at the Islamic Centre to commemorate the day the Maldives embraced Islam.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Solih said the Maldives has changed its views on the Chagos Islands maritime boundary dispute and voted against Mauritius. He said the dispute between the Maldives and the territory surrounding Chagos Islands has not been resolved for a long time, adding that 30 years ago in 1992, the Maldives held talks with the United Kingdom (UK) to resolve the dispute between the Chagos Islands and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. Additionally, he noted that a solution to the issue to divide the disputed territory equally between the two countries was negotiated and agreed upon with the UK in 1992. Furthermore, in 2011, the Maldives held talks with Mauritius to resolve the maritime boundary dispute.

Furthermore, President Solih said the government is also maintaining the interests of the Maldivian state. He highlighted that different governments have worked with different parties to resolve the maritime boundary dispute. He also noted that the Constitution of the Maldives clearly states that procedure must be followed in case of conflict between the Maldives and the territorial waters of another country.

In conclusion, President Solih said that there is a certainty of victory in the issue as well with the Maldives working towards the best interests of the country on the Chagos Islands dispute, and working to increase the territory previously agreed to be given to the Maldives when the territory is divided through ongoing negotiations.

Addressing the ceremony, the President stated that our unity, fortified by our Islamic faith, is the strongest defence shielding our independence and sovereignty. He made the statement while speaking at the special ceremony to commemorate the day the Maldives embraced Islam. President called on the nation to uphold our Islamic values and principles. Noting that Islam is the religion of peace, harmony, and brotherhood, the President highlighted the importance of truth in promoting and protecting our Islamic virtues. He also called on the nation to stray from acts that promote strife in the community.

(Source: President office & PSM News)

Local

Nasheed to form new party

Published

11 months ago

17/05/2023

The main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s leader Mohamed Nasheed has decided to form a new political party.

Nasheed initiated a separate political movement within MDP, ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’, following his loss in MDP’s presidential primary held back in January. After major conflicts with the government and its policies – all lawmakers from the faction tendered their resignation from MDP on Wednesday.

The move came after Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim was expelled from the party on Tuesday and banned from rejoining for at least one year over involvement in opposition political activities surrounding the Chagos archipelago dispute.

The 12 members who resigned from MDP on Wednesday are;

Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla
Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde)
North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahumy (Inthi)
West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef
Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef
Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef
Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde)
Madaveli MP Hussain Firushan
Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan (Gita)
North Mahchangoalhi MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu)
Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir
All 12 members are close acquittances of Nasheed. MP Hassan Latheef, during a meeting at Bodufenvalhuge on Wednesday, announced Nasheed’s decision to form a new political party. The meeting was attended by supporters of Nasheed.

Should Nasheed form a new political party, that party would be the largest opposition party in terms of members in the parliament, thereby, the minority party. The minority party at present, opposition PPM-PNC coalition has only eight members in the parliament.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

Local

MPs loyal to Nasheed leave MDP

Published

11 months ago

17/05/2023

Multiple members of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) loyal to the party’s leader Mohamed Nasheed have left the party.

The members who resigned from MDP include 12 MPs. They include Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla, MP Mohamed Waheed, MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi), MP Hassan Latheef, MP Ilyas Labeeb, MP Yasir Abdul Latheef, MP Hassan Afeef, MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde), MP Hussain Firushan, MP Hassan Shiyan, MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu), and MP Ahmed Zahir.

They submitted their resignation letters Wednesday.

The move comes after MDP’s parliamentary group had requested action against Inthi, Hassan Latheef, Ilyas, Yasir, and Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim earlier this week, for forming an alliance with the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Jumhoory Party (JP) and Maldives National Party (MNP), after accusing the government of failure to protect the interests of the Maldivian people in the case lodged with the International Tribunal of the Law of the Seas (ITLOS) over the disputed maritime territory between Maldives and Mauritius.

The party’s disciplinary committee decided to expel Azim from the party on Tuesday.

They are all members of Nasheed’s ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction.

However, Nasheed has yet to resign from the party.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

Local

The Cambodian Prime Minister arrives in the Maldives on an official visit

Published

1 year ago

15/01/2023

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, arrived Sunday morning on an official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen’s first visit to the Maldives.

The Cambodian Prime Minister and accompanying delegation were received at Velana International Airport (VIA) by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid (ODRI). The government will hold a ceremony on Monday to officially welcome the Cambodian Prime Minister to the Maldives.

During the visit, President Solih would meet with Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen and hold official talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation, followed by the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries. President Solih and the Cambodian Prime Minister would also deliver a joint statement on the outcomes of their discussions.

The Maldives and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1995.

Source(s): President Office.