I Quit Due to Party Disloyalty – Ibra

In an exclusive interview to Minivan News, Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra), who resigned as Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) President on Sunday, said disloyalty from senior party colleagues was the main reason he decided to quit.

“The shadow cabinet, the National Executive Committee and the Secretariat… none of them gave me the co-operation I needed to carry through my agenda,” he said.

Ibra said that fundamental disagreements with colleagues over whether to engage with the government isolated him within the party.

“I outlined my proposals to take the party forward and I believe Congress approved those [in the December leadership election]. Fundamental to these was negotiation with the government and working through legal processes in the Majlis. However, the National Council passed a resolution [in January] virtually banning the MDP from negotiating with the government until political prisoners are freed. I tried to use backdoor methods to talk and seek solutions [with the government] but again the National Council didn’t approve. And I was constantly accused of making deals with President Gayoom. So, it was quite clear that the National Council did not approve of my thinking,” he said.

Ibra also noted his turbulent relationship with MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed (Anni): “We don’t see eye to eye. This was a critical factor in my decision to resign.”

“He being the Chairperson, in charge of the Secretariat… what is implemented is very dependent on his views.

“There are elements within the MDP who think that direct action is the key to achieving our objectives. I think direct action is a crucial element in this process but not the only element. We must have a political process too, and that’s engagement with the government. My desire is to have a peaceful solution and that can only come about through negotiation, through the Majlis, through a legal process. But I do believe to make that happen we also need direct action. In the MDP the direct action is going ahead but the political agenda is being left on the shelf.

“Within the existing arrangements, I found it impossible to push this political agenda forward. I think the party has come to a halt, but I’m virtually alone in thinking this,” he added.

Ibra said he was sidelined to such an extent he wasn’t even able to open his own mail. “Letters addressed to the party president were going to the National Council before I saw them. Party statements were released before I had a chance to read them… It became very clear that the party president is not the leader but has a nominal, ceremonial role rather like the Queen of England.”

“The final straw was a no-confidence motion in the National Executive Committee on Wednesday. I was unable to attend the meeting and wasn’t aware a motion had been tabled until a member of the press asked me about it on Sunday. I had a choice: to either resign or fight the motion. I didn’t think it would be in the party’s interest to fight and inevitably make public all our differences.”

Ibra gave two pieces of advice for those seeking election as the next party president. “To potential candidates: have a very clear understanding of the powers and responsibilities of the president before you commit yourself. To the next elected president: make sure you appoint a shadow cabinet that fully backs you and will be loyal to you.”

Despite the acrimonious atmosphere, Ibra said he would continue to back the MDP cause and channel his energies in the People’s Majlis and Special Majlis.

“I’m chair of the Special Majlis drafting committee for the new constitution. That’s a vital role; to make sure that it functions properly and speedily so we can get the new constitution drafted and passed as soon as possible. Also, in the Majlis, there is much work to be done. There’s new roadmap legislation coming up. That’s more than enough work, and it’s very important work… and I will continue to represent the MDP in both houses,” he said.

“And I’ll cooperate fully with the next leader. I don’t want the next MDP President to be in the same position I was in.”