The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern over the increasing polarization in the Maldives, which according to the UN chief has made dialogue among the government and political parties increasingly difficult.
In a statement released by Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson, he stated that there were growing rifts between the political parties of the Maldives and it's government, and that there were obstacles keeping internal discussions from solving these issues. He had also called the Maldivian people to let go of these disputes.
The United Nations reiterates its readiness to extend its support to an inclusive and genuine dialogue and continue facilitation efforts.
Ban Ki-moon stressed on the importance of holding such discussions, and to increase the roles of independent institutions in solving the disputes and catering to the needs of the country, as well as maintaining true democracy.
"The United Nations reiterates its readiness to extend its support to an inclusive and genuine dialogue and continue facilitation efforts," Ban said.
Government meanwhile has reiterated its commitment to the all party talks designed to resolve the ongoing political strife in the country.
The all party talks had been led by the Commonwealth and the government's decision to leave the now 52 member bloc last month left question marks over dialogue between the main political parties in the archipelago.
Maldives left the Commonwealth last month citing unfair and unjust treatment weeks after the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) – the enforcement mechanism of the Commonwealth – threatened to suspend Maldives from the council at its next meeting in March if effective steps were not taken to resolve the ongoing political crisis in the archipelago .
In addition to the Commonwealth, the United Nations had also initiated proxy talks after the main opposition parties refused to sit-down with government demanding the release of all jailed political leaders as a pre-condition for the talks.
Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in jail last year but was given asylum in Britain after traveling there for back surgery while Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla was found guilty of terrorism over a speech he gave at the May Day rally and sentenced to 12 years in prison in February.
Imran was accused of inciting violence with the prosecution arguing that he must bear responsibility for the violent clashes.
