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Friday 22 Nov 2024
LOCAL EDITION
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LOCAL EDITION
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih visits AA. Maalhos on August 16, 2023. (Photo/MDP)
The current five-year term is coming to a peaceful conclusion because we didn’t make deals with political leaders and seek help from criminal gangs to get elected to office, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
In a campaign rally in Aa. Maalhos on Wednesday, President Solih said it is the hope of all Maldivian citizens to live a stable and happy life.
He said his administration has engaged in numerous efforts to establish peace and stability in Maldives.
President Solih added that politicians often receive offers from criminal gangs.
He said that his administration also received offers from gangs, which they rejected, ensuring peace and stability.
“These groups approach everyone in politics. But we came to office in 2018 without the aid of any of these groups,” he said.
President Solih said that the streets of Male’ had been a scary place in the past, with a young man killed in acts of gang violence each month.
“The reality is that this happens because of links between the perpetrators and politicians. There’s no doubt about this. It is because they are empowered and get help from people in power. It would not happen otherwise,” he said.
President Solih said that it has all changed, with the crime rate at a record low during his administration.
However, the young men on the streets must not be rejected by society, he said.
“I am not saying that these youths must be rejected and rendered homeless. We must show them a path,” he said.
President Solih described finding a path for the youth prone to petty crimes as a duty of the government.
President Solih made several re-election pledges to Maalhos, an island of 359 eligible voters. They are:
