The political leaders emerged out of the three day All Party Talks without reaching a consensus on the six point-agenda, failing again to achieve a compromise on breaking the political deadlock following the controversial ousting of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on February 7.
Despite stalling several times due to disagreements over the subject and order of the agenda, the talks began at the Vice President’s Bandos Island Resort with expectation of reaching a consensus on the six-point agenda.
Six items on the agenda are, in order: 1) Discussion on how to solve the problem of public disturbances carried out in the country; 2) Discussion on assessing the state budget situation; 3) Discussion on identifying reforms needed for institutions and independent posts; 4) Discussion on assessing the laws to be amends and new laws to be enacted; 5) Discussion on amendments to the constitution; and 6) Discussion on determining a date for a presidential election.
However after a third day of failed talks with political representatives, Convener Ahmed Mujthaba told media that despite 15 hours of talks split into four meetings, they were only able to discuss the first item of the six-point agenda.
Although 30 points were outlined as measures to end the political disturbances, Mujthaba confirmed that the parties came to “no consensus” during the discussion.
Reportedly, amid heated arguments and intense debates between the pro government and former ruling MDP representatives, discussions ended without progressing to a cross-party agreement on any of the points. Convener Mujthaba reportedly came under verbal attacks as well.
According to newspaper Haveeru, 30 measures proposed by parties to end public disturbances included; “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, no keeping crows or other animals in public places, not hanging swings that block the pavements, not prevent anyone from coming ashore on 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, not spreading exaggerated or false reports through media outlets, not using loud speakers during peaceful and street protests, obeying court orders and not holding street rallies.”
MDP spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor told Minivan News that the party was requested to cease practicing black magic and other malicious forms of sorcery against other parties at the talks.
“I think that some people involved are now playing a hoax. It is hard to believe that the regime is lowering itself to this level. It is both pointless and irrelevant,” he claimed. “It is notable that figures such as former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom are very superstitious.”
At a press conference held this afternoon police displayed what they alleged to be items used for black magic by MDP protesters at the party camp site Usfasgandu. A female activist was also arrested on suspicion of sorcery.
The President Office and pro government party representatives have not responded to calls from Minivan News at the time of press.
However, representative of the coalition Jumhooree Party and President’s Office Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza blamed MDP for the outcome of the talks in local media.
“We proposed against stymieing of political activities and visits to the islands. But MDP was unwilling to agree. If they had done so, the outcome could have been much different,” Riza told Haveeru.
However, Riza stopped short from calling the talks a failure stating that the drafting and discussion on the 30 points itself is a “major achievement”.
Mujthaba noted that the “results are not bad considering the current political climate.”
The next round of talks will be scheduled after discussions with the parties and will continue from the first point ofnthe agenda.
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I don't care what these dumb idiots discuss or not.
I just want peace, which I have now come to believe will never happen here.
The parliamentarians are selfish con artists.
The religious scholars want total control in the name of God.
The party politics wants their members and followers in high paying jobs to earn their keep.
Nobody has got countrys best interest.
May god unleash a tsunami and wipe out the nation.
I am also seriously concerned about the people's growing lack of confidence in the democratic system.
Compromise needs to be prioritized and the MDP should also give some leeway for talks to succeed.
The government might also be better advised to back down on the demand to increase checks and balances on police conduct. Strengthening the Police Integrity Commission would be a good move and also decreasing the Home Minister's influence on the police and also ensuring job safety for high-ranking policemen is another much-needed reform.
The MDP on the other hand must agree to continue talks in a climate that is conducive to dialogue. The MDP must;
- stop the practice of setting up camps in public areas where party activist are allowed to flagrantly flout the law.
- must stop engineering protests for the sake of them
- must ask their sympathizers abroad to stop their smear campaign against the tourism industry; and,
- must agree to strengthen institutions through dialogue and compromise rather than abrasive and confrontational methods which are completely unproductive anyway.
this is just a delay tactic by the illegitimate regime set up after the coup.. however, the good things is, MP has never, as before, relied on local developments alone but has engaged critical and crucial international agencies and related bodies; there is grass roots support for MDP; this is a common enough scenario in many young democracies where they relapse after few years.. but the good thing with Maldives is the the people are out on the streets supporting Nasheed.. and the perpetrators of the coup simply cannot take it. As he recently said; "they are holding on to the wrong end of a dynamite"... and now Gayoom has fled with his paranoia over a rooster...
I see the failure of Mujuthabaa here specially having appointed by the regime and not able to control their gibberish pointless item put on the agenda.
tsk tsk,
You have some gall advocating for the "democratic system" while simultaneously batting for the same forces that undermined democracy in the country.
The MDP has every right, not to mention good reason, to protest - and you ought to stop your smear campaign against ordinary citizens who have chosen to exercise their full constitutional rights to freedom of assembly by tainting them as 'flagrantly flouting the law'
There is no democrat in this country who will accept a regime installed by the military/police after toppling a democratically elected one. It is a matter of principle, for some of us.
"Dialogue and compromise" are being thrown out of the window by those who are still having a hard time consolidating their grasp on power.
The Police is heavily politicized today, to the point it could be an organ of the party in power.
There is no point in demanding obedience from the people when the coup administration has refused to prosecute (or even condemn!) a single police man involved in the gross atrocities against elected leaders and the general public on the 7th/8th of February.
The coup leaders have no basis to make demands of either the MDP or the general public. They need to be serving time behind bars, not issuing orders on how we should or should not behave.
@ Ali Saleem
"May god unleash a tsunami and wipe out the nation"
Dude, if you wanna die that bad then just go jump of a building. But dont go calling out for a catastrophe for the entire nation cause you cant fathom or digest political events around you. There are good people in this country, who deserve a good life, so dont drag all of us into your catastrophe.
Phew! thank you Observer2 taking care of Ali Saleem, at least for the time being. But we have to find out how "Ruder Finn" our little tsk tsk is...are they paying in Euros or USD?
The citizens who have been robbed of their basic human rights should protest more after this shambles!
In less than 7 years, Maldivian economy will collapse, the rich and educated will migrate and the rest will stay to fight slow death as brothers and sisters go after each other.
Dooms day is coming so better be good to Bangladesh, Indians and Sri Lankans as we would need their support sooner or later.
parents should encourage children to study careers that may help them work in other countries because there is nothing Maldives is going to offer anyone as long as foreigners maintain the jobs now.
Politicians are diapers and would continue to change.
@Ali Saleem,
If it was legal, I would have sewed your lips moron! Never wish what you dont mean
Male has more than sufficient and well equipped buildings to hoist such events happening Bandos.
Who is paying and how much is Bandos charging for these meetings, and why should the government take such a stupid move?
Impossible demands, derailing tactics and the administrative run around is what the unelected illegal regime want!!!
I am also seriously concerned that people who know at least something about democracy and the system are only too cowardish to believe in freedom of expression, freedom of speech and freedom to claim their rights and go for some cash, instead!
This "all party talk" is a circus.
It never wanted anything but to ridicule and TRY humiliate MDP.
Reason why they hate to see:
1. Crows - Because it is them who snatched people's votes to suite their need. It is them who snatched people's right to protest!
2. Protesting - When they were protesting, creating havoc on the streets and like mad dogs were plundering the city, it was OK! With MDP protesting boldly, people are understanding and getting the feel of protest and result. They cannot stomach this!
3. Sorcery - Maumoon loves sorcery and has been actively involved in it to keep him in power. Now that it has slipped, he is of opinion others would follow suite. He never did seem to believe in the Greatness of God! This regime especially those who believe in Maumoon think MDP has better sorcerers than those they employ!
4. Men and women in uniform called "Baghee" - When men and women in uniform who were not a part to the treacherous act hear this, they certainly will not feel happy! In fact they should not be called "Traitors". But if they do not come out in public and declare, the public cannot know who are the traitors! These men and women can no longer bare this humiliation. They are sick of it and want to shrug themselves off being branded "Traitor".
There is tension inside barracks! Traitor regime knows that the kindled cracker in their hands is going to blow any moment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!check mate!
@Yaamyn
Don't bother about the likes of these tsks tsks. Cowards like them will die many times before their death!
@Palm reader
You do not know Maldivians.
And if you were a Maldivian; you are a sad SOB.
Maldivians are born survivors.
Maldives will ride this wave and be free of TRAITORS once more.
All TRAITORS will get a real good dose of medicine from the real Maldivian.
And I would assume that neither Bangladesh, India or Sri Lanka would accept the likes of you! COWARD!
Let's all talk sense shall we.
The international community and the educated are well aware of the circumstances behind which the police have been functioning since their separation from the military in the mid-2000s.
First and foremost the police are required by law to answer to the Home Minister. This requirement was never abolished nor advocated against by the Nasheed-regime when they were in power and even when they managed to get a majority in Parliament.
True this administration also seems to shy away from the issue.
The only institution who has spoke in support of bringing about this change is the independent Prosecutor General.
Secondly, the police was in the Nasheed-regime and still remains an arm of the central government with the Commissioner being a political appointee.
No progress was made in the Nasheed regime to rectify this issue and none seems to have been made so far under the current ruling coalition.
Also the institution formed to ensure police professionalism, the independent Police Integrity Commission lacks teeth and is also headed by a governing board consisting mostly of political activists with very little administrative experience.
Strengthening that Commission is of paramount importance in the absence of sincerity by three successive regimes (Qayyoom's, Nasheed's and Waheed's so far) to reduce political influence upon police.
Also the current ruling coalition has a chance to make this bold move if they find it politically expedient to do so.
I would inform our young army of commentators that no country in this world allows people to occupy swathes of the capital city or cause disturbances near private residences for indefinite amounts of time in the name of freedom of expression. I must leave further research on this to you. There are credible sources on the internet who will explain the operation of this right in varying forms of democratic governance on the world wide web as well. Propagating a political agenda and believing in propaganda are two very different things.