The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) rejected yesterday’s invitation by the Government of Maldives to hold one-to-one talks with the Party in order to move towards the all-party talks which currently remain stalled. This is the third such rejection.
The MDP has now rejected the Government’s invitations on three different occasions and failed to attend the initial two meetings open to all Parties.
The Government’s most recent invitation was made to explore possibilities of leniency in the judgement by the Criminal Court, in the case of former President Mohamed Nasheed, which MDP had posed as their main concern. However, the Party has once again rejected the Government’s invitation based on changing demands further delaying the proposed talks.
The Chairperson of the Government’s representatives at the all-party talks, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. Mohamed Shainee said that MDP’s rejection shows clearly the Party’s unsupportive mind-set towards resolving issues through dialogue.
“These talks were convened in good faith and cannot be productive without honest debate and compromise. Yet the MDP has failed time and time again to even attend” the Minister said.
The Minister also said that the Government urged the MDP to put the needs of the people first and to attend the all-party talks for the betterment, development and progress of the nation.
MDP again rejects Government’s invitation to talks
