The Maldives is heading towards an authoritarian dictatorship, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said.
At a rally hosted by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Tuesday night at the Artificial Beach, President Solih expressed concern over the current administration's ongoing efforts to replace leaders of independent institutions, describing this as an effort to consolidate power and pave the way for a dictatorship. Solih alleged that the government is already preparing to influence the next presidential election.
'The Maldives is once again facing an environment of fear," he said.
Criticizing the government, Solih said the government is withholding council funds intending to undermine and destroy the decentralization system.
Speaking on the proposed budget for next year and the lack of detailed information available on the budget allocations, President Solih said the budget allocated for the current year was depleted with little tangible benefit to the people. While a supplementary budget of MVR 5 billion has now been approved by the Parliament, there should be clear outcomes to show for the original budget expenditure, he said.
Solih also stated that, instead of fulfilling promises, the government has harmed businesses and left citizens with diminished hope and poverty.
"They truly do not know how to run [a country]. They do not know how to do things," he said.
Tuesday's event marked the MDP’s first public rally since losing its hold on power in November 2023. All speakers were heavily critical of the current government’s performance and direction.
