Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) called on the Government to restart the stalled All-Party talks, as recommended by Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) and said that they were ready for the talks. The talks had stalled after MDP had posed stipulations.
A statement released by CMAG after their meeting in New York, said that "time-bound dialogue remains critical to achieve national agreement on institutional reform, and to ensure a conducive environment for credible and inclusive Presidential elections in 2018." The statement added that all stakeholders have to prioritize on national interests, adding that all parties have to participate in the talks without any stipulations.
In the statement released by MDP, the party welcomed CMAG's decision to place the Maldives on its formal agenda and called on the Government to immediately sit for talks.
"MDP urges the Government to take steps to uphold human rights of all citizens, and for the urgent restoration of democracy in the country, through strengthening of democratic institutions and the release of all political prisoners" and "urges the Government to fulfill these steps in order to avert suspension from the Commonwealth. "
Opposition figures have stipulated that release of political prisoners was vital to beginning the talks process. Government had said that there were no stipulations and if necessary leniency will be granted to political prisoners. As such, Government had announced that former President Mohamed Nasheed and Adhaalath Party chief Imran Abdullah, both serving jail terms, will be allowed to participate in the discussions.
CMAG had "expressed deep disappointment at the lack of progress in the priority areas that they had earlier identified, and therefore placed Maldives on CMAG’s formal agenda."
