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President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said that he will not allow the current situation to escalate to the level that the loss of peace and order in the country jeopardises the people of Maldives.

The President made this statement while speaking on TVM last night.

“No matter what, we have to work on restoring peace and on fighting the financial challenges faced by our country. Our people need not be divided, and families need not be at each other’s throats for the sake of politics – that would just be wrong. I urge everyone to think about these things, and prioritise the interests of the nation,” he said.

Referring to the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI), the President said that the purpose of creating the CNI was to solve the political tensions.

“We have listened to the international community, especially the Commonwealth, and reformed the CNI accordingly. Confidence has been established in relation to the CNI’s independence and impartiality,” he said.

He noted that a representative of former President Nasheed as well as an honourable retired Judge, chosen by the Commonwealth, were appointed to the CNI; following which the international community no longer questioned the impartiality of the CNI, and expressed hope that Maldivians will do the same.

The President also said that Nasheed’s representative Gaha Ahmed Saeed provided information to the media yesterday in violation of the agreement made with Commonwealth, and advised against repeating such practices.

When asked about his future in politics, the President said that he is contemplating this issue, and will make a decision shortly on whether to contest in the upcoming Presidential Election.