Tensions in All Party Talks escalate over the involvement of courts

Tensions between the participants of the three day retreat of the All Party Roadmap Talks escalated further following the divergences of opinion over discussions of resolving the items of the agenda through a court of law. Last night’s meeting of the three day retreat ongoing in Bandos Island Resort and Spa had entailed the seeking of a resolution of the current political strife in the country, which is the first item of the agreed agenda of the Talks.

To that end, it was mutually agreed among the interlocutors including opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to take up all issues divided into 30 points in a court of law. Following which, pro-government political parties had proposed to take the rest of the items on the agreed agenda to court. They also suggested reaching a consensus over the proposition and bringing an end to the All Party Talks.

“MDP also agreed to it initially. But later they weren’t up for settling the rest of the items on the agenda through the courts. They said they didn’t want to resolve the issues through the court system and stressed for dialogue to find a mutual resolution. That’s when things got heated. Our stand is if MDP has agreed to solve the political conflict through the courts, then the rest of the issues must also follow suit,” a pro-government party member detailed.

However, MDP representative and Henveiru-south MP Hamid Abdul Ghafoor tended to disagree with the notion. He stressed that in no point of the discussions had he agreed to settle the rest of the issues on the agenda through the courts, but did admit to agreeing to resolve the ongoing political turmoil by a court of law.

“There are so many comical things needed to be done in order to resolve the political crisis, such as the prohibition of keeping crows. Then we told them such things need to be settled by the courts. But the rest of the items of the agenda can be resolved without involving the courts,” Hamid added.

He further alleged that the rival political parties were attempting to constrict the freedom of expression of MDP.

However, pro-government parties counters such allegations by claiming that major unrest is initiated or incited from the Usfasgandu area and stressed that the political crisis can only be resolved if such actions are ceased.

Hence all parties in the Roadmap Talks drafted 30 mutually agreeable points.

The conditions include,  no attacks on public and private property, no attacks on political figures, no sexual transgressions in public parks where a party’s flag is hoisted, not keeping crows or other animals in public places, not hanging swings that block the pavements, not to stymie anyone from coming ashore of any island, not holding political activities on roads and pavements, not participating in protests while intoxicated, not stymieing the work of the parliament, not using children or logos of a foreign body in a political protest.

It is believed that the Moderator of the Talks Ahmed Mujthaba had also come under verbal attacks during the tension that ensued between MDP and the pro-government parties during the meeting last night.

Following which, it is also believed that Mujthaba at one point had decided to leave the discussions.

Mujthaba had been subject to the censure of some members of the pro-government parties after alleging that he had been attempting to favor MDP in the discussions.
“A lot of talking was needed to calm the Convener (Mujthaba),” a member said.

 As last night’s meeting also ended without much headway, the three day retreat would come to a close at 12.00 this afternoon.

Though former President Mohamed Nasheed had been scheduled to represent MDP in the last meeting of the retreat, the motion has now been cancelled.

MDP’s Hamid detailed that Nasheed has decided against participation as the Talks have failed to reach a desirable position.

“The appointment had been made for Nasheed’s participation when the Talks take a significant turn. But that can only be achieved when the Convener has that assurance. However, there are no signs that the Talks have reached a point of significance,” Hamid added.
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