President: Others do not have say in country’s domestic and foreign affairs

President Ibrahim Mohamed says that foreign powers do not have any say over the Maldivian people, in the country’s freedom to decide its domestic and foreign policies.

He made the remark in an address on occasion of the Maldives National Day on Saturday.

He noted that the day serves as a solemn reminder of the valiant efforts of national hero al-Sultan al-Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-A'uzam and his partners in liberating the Maldives from Portuguese dominion.

He described it as a great sacrifice they made in defense of Maldives’ freedom in domestic and international affairs.

President Solih said that the Maldivian people share a common mother tongue, history and culture, which forms the basis for nationalism.

And that the sovereignty and independence, and the peace established upon the independence, is the beacon of the country’s nationalism.

President Solih said that each and every Maldivian citizen must resolve to protect and principles of nationalism.

He added that no other interests will come before the interests of the Maldivian people.

“Maldives continues to be recognized in the international arena as a truly independent nation. The same as it enjoys political and economic independence, there are no other powers that have a say over the Maldivian people in domestic and international freedom,” he said.

President Solih said that protecting and defending the independence won by Mohamed Thakurufaan remains the administration’s greatest duty.