Former Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has warned of dark days up ahead if immediate steps are not taken to prevent potential abuses of power by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Speaking at a rally held by the opposing Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) at Male’ Carnival Area, Solih expressed concern over what he perceived as the current administration heading toward authoritarianism. While this could lead to widespread injustices, he warned that failure intervene meant falling back into an era of injustice and oppression.
“The dark clouds looming up ahead indicate trying times up ahead. Terrible times of fear and repression. We need to address this immediately, or [suffer the consequences] and fall back into times of injustice,” he said.
Solih noted that the current government had failed to carry out any infrastructural project during their first year in office, a fact that President Dr. Muizzu acknowledges. Highlighting that the state budget for this year had been fully utilized before the year ended, he raised questions on what the funds were used for, indicating that there was no tangible evidence of the government’s achievements.
Reminding the public of the pivotal role played by MDP in shaping the Maldives’ current constitution, President Solih emphasized the work done by MDP, particularly on Article 4 of the Constitution, which states that all the powers of the state are derived from, and remain with the citizens. While the original draft did not fully vest powers in the people, the provision, as it currently is, was added by MDP’s former Chairperson Mariya Ahmed Didi, he noted. He emphasized that the addition reflects MDP’s commitment to people power.
In his closing remarks, Solih expressed great concern that the current administration intended to strip the people of the rights assured by the Constitution. He urged all parties to rise up without fear, in defense of the constitution.
