Opposition refuses sit-down until leaders freed

Opposition parties have refused a sit-down with the government until all opposition leaders are freed and charges against opposition politicians dropped.

The government had sent a letter to the opposition, including former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, inviting them for all-party talks with the government on August 30.

Chief Negotiator and Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. Mohamed Shainee had asked the opposition to send in their demands for reform within seven days. No opposition party had sent in demands in respond to the offer.

The opposition issued a joint press statement this Monday, in which they said they doubted the government’s intention and goodwill in making the offer.

“President [Abdulla] Yameen [Abdul Gayoom]’s government has unjustly persecuted and imprisoned leaders of the allied opposition parties. Parliamentarians from the allied opposition parties are being unjustly persecuted,” read the statement.

The opposition said that if the government had any good intentions, it would have immediately launched reforms.

“The opposition has sat down with President Yameen’s government for discussions numerous times in the past. The parties had also attempted to conduct the discussions with the direct involvement of the UN as mediators. But the discussions fail every time with the government making up excuses,” read the statement.

The opposition alleged the offer for discussions had been a ruse by the government to attract foreign investment.

They said that if the government had any good intention, it would release all political leaders immediately.

“We call for the immediate release of political leaders to prove President Yameen’s good intention. We ask President Yameen’s government to sit down for discussions with political parties after that.”