MDP decides to join political dialogue as requested by CMAG

 

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has on Monday night decided to join the political dialogue with the government following a call by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) on all parties to attend talks without any pre-conditions.

On Monday night, MDP Deputy Leader Mohamed Shifaz submitted a resolution to an emergency meeting of the party national council on going for talks with the government without any pre-conditions. It was passed with 37 to 39 votes.

During the debate on the resolution, Shifaz stated that sitting down for talks with the government is not a step back, but rather a progress as the government should also not make any demands prior to the political party talks.

He said the political negotiations will be used to push for the release of former President Mohamed Nasheed and other political detainees along with discussions on the key areas of concern to MDP and the Commonwealth.

“Freedom of expression is the most important element of a democratic party. We have achieved that. President Yameen was forced to call for all-party talks after the CMAG warning. Commonwealth demanded political negotiations without any pre-conditions. This means the government cannot make any demands as well,” Shifaz stated.

The members of MDP national council expressed varying opinions on joining the all-party talks, with some members supporting the resolution, and others describing it as a waste of time and effort.MDP parliamentary group deputy leader Imthiyaz Fahmy, MP Fayyaz Ismail and MP Ali Nizar, who supported the resolution, said this is the right time to sit down for talks with the government, expressing hopes for progress.

“This is the right time to negotiate. The government called for talks following the warning from CMAG, but they do not want to hold these talks. We carry on with this as the government is forced to do something they do not want,” Imthiyaz said.

“Our party is connected to the hopes of the people. This is a very wise decision. We need to do these things. We need to do whatever it takes for the good of the people. All the problems we face in this country are a result of President Abdulla Yameen’s wrongdoings,” Nizar said.

There were only two members in the national council who were against the resolution; Anwar Ibrahim believed it unwise to sit down for talks with the government while Mohamed Waheed suggested putting forward some-conditions before negotiating.

“We cannot support this resolution. We have made decisions to negotiate with the government twice before. I believe this is a step backwards. Our members do not want to go for talks without President Mohamed Nasheed being a part of it,” Anwar said.

“I support sitting down for talks, but with some conditions. Our first condition must be the immediate release of President Mohamed Nasheed,” Waheed said. 

source-  https://raajje.mv/73985