Mujtaba resigned because President Waheed would not give in: Moosa Manik

Chairperson of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Reeko Moosa Manik has said that the Moderator of Leaders’ Dialogue Ahmed Mujtaba resigned as a result of the stubborn and autocratic ways of President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik.

Mujtaba resigned this morning, citing the decision by the party which is not part of the coalition government, MDP, to withdraw from the discussions; and his belief that the discussions should be continued at the Parliament, as reasons.

Moosa Manik noted while providing information to MDP’s website, that President Waheed had said during the meeting held in Bandos that he would do everything possible to ease the political tension in the Maldives.

“The government had welcomed the agenda agreed on by the political parties. After that, Waheed publicly opposed the Leaders’ Dialogue’s agenda, which resulted in Moderator Mujtaba’s resignation. His resignation shows that, despite the hard work of some groups to resolve the political problems, no progress can be made because of Waheed’s stubborn and autocratic ways,” Reeko Moosa Manik said.

Moosa Manik further criticised the President, and said that he remains as President by force, and that he is not open to holding discussions to find solutions to problems.

Following Mujtaba’s resignation, the government said this morning that the Leaders’ Dialogue, initiated by the government to ease the political tension in the country, had come to an end; and that solutions to these problems will be sought through discussions at the Parliament.

Responding to Moosa Manik’s statements, government Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza said that Mujtaba had stated the reasons for his resignation in his letter of resignation.

He alleged that Moosa Manik wants to show that the government is trying not to participate in the discussions.

“However we hope to continue the talks at the Parliament. The discussions can continue if MDP does not participate,” he said.