Civil Alliance and MDP conduct rallies in Mal

The Civil Alliance, also dubbed the Union of Civil NGOs, and the 23rd December Alliance, has begun its mega rally at Artificial Beach, Malé, as former President Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party conducted a simultaneous women’s march for justice on the streets of the city.

CIVIL ALLIANCE RALLY

Civil Alliance rally at the Artificial Beach has been organized to call for the upholding of Constitution, and to express the people’s support for President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, who took over in accordance with the Constitution, following Nasheed’s resignation on the 7th of this month.

Civil Alliance rally began around 16:30, with approximately 20,000 participants, and organizers of the event have informed the media that it would continue until 00:00 hours tonight. According to reports, approximately 9500 people came to Malé from various islands of the country, to participate in the rally. For days, vessels have been busy transporting people from various parts of the country for it.

The first speaker at the rally was Ahmed Mahloof, Council Member of the Progressive Party of the Maldives, one of the many political parties that have promised to back up and cooperate with Dr. Waheed’s Administration.

Others who spoke at the rally include Abdullah Mohamed, Vice President of the Civil Alliance, Ahmed Tasmin Ali, Leader of the Divehi Rayyithunge Party, Mohamed Didi, President of the Civil Alliance and prominent leader of Adhaalath Party, Qaasim Ibrahim, Leader of the Jumhoory Party, Dr. Hassan Saeed, Leader of Qawmee Party, and Imran Abdullah, President of Adhaalath Party.

Speakers voiced out their categorical rejection of an early election, saying that there are absolutely no reasons why an early presidential election should be held, unless one counted the incredibly selfish and unreasonable demands of Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party.

Speakers belonging to Addu City, notably Mohamed Didi, prominent leader of Adhaalath and President of the Civil Alliance, condemned Nasheed’s warnings last night to President Waheed not to set foot in Addu City in an MDP gathering held at Addu. “I am from Addu too, and I tell you, dear Mr. President, you are most welcome in Addu, and we are impatiently waiting for your visit”.

Qaasim Ibrahim spoke against the claims of MDP that the current government is a “gang of rebels”. The constitutional government, which has returned the country to a state of rule of law and constitutional authority and respect of the law, is no rebel government. The true rebels were Nasheed and his friends, who violated the Constitution, laws, and courts of this country, whenever their party or personal interests demanded so”, said Qasim.

Imran, President of Adhaalath Party, spoke in the same tone, and welcomed and thanked all the people who had taken the trouble of travelling to Malé to participate in the rally.

ENTER THE PRESIDENT

President Dr. Waheed also joined the rally around 17:20. As the President walked up to the stage, thousands of people gathered lifted their hands into the air and welcomed him in one voice. All the people shouted in one voice that they “do not want an early election”. “We want you to remain in power, we do not want an early election”, the call echoed for minutes.

The President addressed the crowd, and said that the people who had gathered there were there because of their true love of their nation, and said that anyone who loved the nation could not accept spreading of mischief and discord in the country. The President also said that the Maldivian people would give up their very last drop of blood in defence of the nation, and that those who create discord and anarchy in the country and seek to destroy the country’s economy were the rebels in deed.

WOMEN’S MARCH FOR JUSTICE

Just as the rally of the Civil Alliance began, a march participated by female members of MDP was under way. The march started around 16:20 from the Social Centre, at the Western side of Malé.

Led by Nasheed’s Iron Lady, Maria Ahmed Didi, and his Education Minister Shifa Ibrahim, the march followed its way through Majeedee Magu. Its participants kept on shouting that “this government is a gang of rebels, and women of this nation do not accept it”, while a larger group of women was assembled at the Civil Alliance rally, in support of the constitutionally established Administration of Dr. Waheed.

As the march concluded to the Victory Square, Nasheed addressed his “army of women”, saying that the “women will go forth and kick out this rebel government”. What followed were anti-government speeches and music. The gathering was concluded at 18:15, with the announcement that MDP protests would, as usual, begin at the Victory Square tonight at 20:00.

POLICE AT ALERT

Meanwhile, the Maldives Police Service was, as usual, committed to keeping peace and order in Malé. Police barrier lines, guarded by officers in full gear, closed the area where the Civil Alliance rally was conducted.

Earlier in the day, the Police had assured that both sides had assured that they would not do any acts which could spark any violence. A Police Statement urged both sides to use their constitutional rights to protest and express opinions in a respectful, decent, and acceptable manner.