Government announces end of Leaders

Government Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza has said that the Leaders’ Dialogue, initiated by the government to ease the political tension in the country, has come to an end; and that solutions to these problems will be sought through discussions at the Parliament.

Abbas said in an interview with Sun Online shortly after Moderator of All Party Talks, Ahmed Mujtaba resigned earlier today, that the decision by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to withdraw from the discussions means that it would not be possible to continue the discussions by appointing another Moderator.

“We are now receiving information that MDP has decided to permanently withdraw from the discussions. The government hopes that the issues on the agenda of the discussions between political parties, such as the creation of new laws and the country’s financial situation, will be addressed by the political parties in the Parliament,” he said.

Abbas also expressed sadness, and condemned MDP’s decision to withdraw from the discussions, at a time when the international community had urged all political groups to continue to hold discussions.

Moderator of All Party Talks, Ahmed Mujtaba resigned earlier today, citing MDP’s decision to withdraw and his belief that the discussions should be continued at the Parliament, as reasons.

Mujtaba was appointed Moderator of All Party Talks on 18 February 2012.

The second meeting of the Leaders’ Dialogue was scheduled for 16:00 today.

MDP decided at an emergency meeting of its National Steering Committee last night, that it will temporarily withdraw from the Leaders’ Dialogue.

MDP has not indicated a reason for this decision.

Mujtaba expressed hope in his press statement that all political groups would prioritise the interests of the nation, and work towards finding solutions to current political challenges faced by the country.

All Party Talks was initiated by the government at the end of February 2012, and changed to Leaders’ Dialogue following the release of the report by the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) at the end of last month.

The first meeting of the Leaders’ Dialogue was held last Sunday, at which MDP was represented by its Chairperson, Reeko Moosa Manik, who proposed that MDP be allowed to join the government. This request was not accommodated by the government.

More than 20 meetings were held by the participants of the All Party Talks; however, they did not result in any positive outcome.