Nasheed: Not opposed to foreign investment, opposed to selling sovereignty

Former President Mohamed Nasheed says he is not opposed to any foreign country or investment from any foreign country, but that he is opposed to sacrificing the sovereignty of the country in the name of foreign investment.

Nasheed made the comment at a press conference held in Sri Lankan capital Colombo, this Monday.

At the press conference, Nasheed said some foreign countries were grabbing large areas of land from Maldives.

In answer to a question by a Sri Lankan reporter, Nasheed said three decisions by the current administration facilitated purchase of Maldivian land by foreigners; the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement, Special Economic Zones Act and the amendment to the Constitution allowing foreign ownership of land.

“Maldives is currently in a dire situation. Because the current administration is ready to facilitate land grab,” said Nasheed.

He said that the Maldivian administration has already sold islands and lagoon to foreigners in a process which lacks any transparency.

“These agreements are not transparent. This did not take place within a proper tender process. We need to get the exact figures,” said Nasheed, who currently resides in the UK as a political refugee after fleeing the authorities after he was allowed to travel abroad for medical care while serving a 13-year prison sentence for terrorism.

He likened selling off land to foreigners to colonialism.

“This is not an easy subject. But this must be talked about. I believe this is slavery and colonialism. I’m not opposed to foreign investment. But I’m opposed to selling our sovereignty,” said Nasheed.