Maldives' opposition coalition must learn from past mistakes and move beyond the blame game for the benefit of the country and its people, former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom insisted Monday.
In an email interview with India's PTI, nearly a month after he was released from jail, Gayoom, who ruled Maldives for three decades until 2008, said the government of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom inflicted "huge damage" on Maldives but democratic forces have prevailed over their "enemies".
Opposition coalition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came out victorious in the September 23 presidential election, handing a shock defeat to incumbent Yameen and capping months of political upheaval in the tourist paradise.
"The road is now clear for a smooth transition. The coalition government is committed to peace, stability, progress and democracy," he said.
He also talked about his efforts to bring multi-party democracy to Maldives in 2008 in sync with the aspirations of the people, adding the constitution had all the checks and balance that are required to safeguard democracy.
"It is indeed sad that these very checks and balance were abused to derail democracy to protect the vested interests of a few," he said.
"It is my hope that we learn from past mistakes and move beyond the blame game, and work together for the good of our citizens and country," he added.
