Government proposes dialogue to resolve Usfasgandu issue

Housing Ministry has suggested to Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to hold discussions to resolve the issue of Usfasgandu.

A letter has been sent by Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muiz to MDP Interim Chairperson Reeko Moosa Manik, inviting MDP to be present at the Ministry at 17:00 today for discussions on how Usfasgandu is being utilised by MDP.

Dr Muiz said today that because Usfasgandu has been removed from Male’ City Council, MDP should now discuss issues related to Usfasgandu with Housing Ministry:

“Usfasgandu has now been legally transferred to Housing Ministry. We made a request to clear the area. This request is unmet and being prolonged, resulting in public interest not being protected. So we must discuss the issue with MDP.”

MDP Office confirmed that the letter had been received, but they have not yet decided on how to deal with the matter. Party Spokesperson Imthiyaz Fahmy said that if they decide to go for discussions with Housing Ministry, the media will be informed.

After Usfasgandu was transferred to Housing Ministry, Housing Ministry requested the Police to dismantle the MDP camps in this area. However Criminal Court dismissed the Police’s request for a court order to dismantle Usfasgandu, indicating that the issue was outside the court’s purview. The Police are further assessing the next step they can take to resolve this matter.

MDP first put up camps at Lonuziyaaraiy kolhu following the fall of President Nasheed’s government on 7 February. The Police raided and dismantled the camps on 19 March, following which MDP put up camps at Usfasgandu.

Usfasgandu is leased to MDP for political activities until the end of next month.

MDP has stated that they will put up camps and protest all over Male’ if Usfasgandu is dismantled.