Government welcomes MDP

Government Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza has welcomed Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) decision to temporarily withdraw from Leaders’ Dialogue, the discussions between the government and leaders of political parties.

The second meeting of the Leaders’ Dialogue is scheduled for tomorrow.

Abbas said that it is a good decision by MDP to withdraw from Leaders’ Dialogue until they resolve the issues within the party.

“MDP first needs to address internal issues such as deciding who its leader is, and what its goals are. The government welcomes this decision,” he said.

MDP has not yet stated any reason for this decision.

The first meeting of the Leaders’ Dialogue was held last Sunday, following which MDP’s Chairperson Reeko Moosa Manik requested that MDP be allowed to join the government.

This request was rejected by the government.

After the release of the report by the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI), a meeting was held at Bandos Island Resort between the leaders of political parties. It was decided at this meeting, to change the name of All Party Talks to Leaders’ Dialogue and have only the leaders of political parties attend these meetings.

The topics of discussion on Leaders’ Dialogue’s agenda are strengthening democracy, establishing a unitary government including MDP, resuming orderly sittings of the Parliament, addressing the issues highlighted in the CNI’s report, and holding an independent and fair election.