anniebehindallviolence
I will join the protests: Annie
Ismail Rifau , Political Correspondent
Male’, Maldives, 21st January 2006 (olhuala.com) – Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) chairman Mohamed Nasheed (also known as Annie) has assured confidantes in the MDP that he will physically join the MDP's proposed activities on the 24th of this month. He reiterated these statements over the past three days during meetings of the MDP shadow cabinet.
Annie is currently under house arrest awaiting trial for sedition and these statements are the latest in a succession of actions which violate the terms of his bail.
Sources close to the MDP leadership informed olhuala.com that Annie said "Work to get as many people onto the streets. All of the shadow cabinet members should also be with the protestors. If the police are unable to break up the demonstration within four hours, I too will come and join you on the street” during a conference call to a meeting at G. Fus last Thursday.
"I will go there even if I am still serving under a judicial warrant. I will go there in defiance."
Some members of the shadow cabinet aired reservations about such a ploy prompting a further meeting at M. Yaagoothuge, the address where Annie is resident. The convening of the meeting was a further violation of his bail conditions.
Among the most vehement opponents of Annie's plan is Mohamed Waheed, who leads a faction within the MDP opposing the Ibra-Annie axis. However, the failure of MDP actions on Wednesday and Thursday has seen Ibra's position as party leader seriously undermined: he does not carry much political weight now and is seen as a lame duck leader.
This has seen Annie make advances at courting Waheed who is acknowledged to have the support of the moderates within the party. Annie has over the past few days discussed with Waheed the possibility of Waheed joining the protests; Waheed made positive responses although he set conditions for his involvement which Annie and Ibra have so far been unable to accommodate.
Coming out of Friday's meeting, Waheed-aide Wadhoodh sounded out a number of moderates within MDP who are increasingly disenchanted with the course of MDP actions.
It is felt that Annie's proposed action is seen by moderates as an opportunity for Waheed to take a stranglehold of the party. Sources within the Justice Ministry confirm that Annie will have no leeway in this matter: it is specifically stated that violation of bail terms will automatically lead to Annie being taken back into custody.
With his trial rumoured to start soon in any case, Ibra will also find his own position further weakened by association with next Tuesday's actions.
Wadhoodh was reported to have said: "Waheed will wait and see what transpires. It is a win-win situation for him because either way Annie and Ibra are going to be out of Waheed's way soon.
"Waheed will take over the MDP or walk away and form a new party."
Click to read full story
Ismail Rifau , Political Correspondent
Male’, Maldives, 21st January 2006 (olhuala.com) – Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) chairman Mohamed Nasheed (also known as Annie) has assured confidantes in the MDP that he will physically join the MDP's proposed activities on the 24th of this month. He reiterated these statements over the past three days during meetings of the MDP shadow cabinet.
Annie is currently under house arrest awaiting trial for sedition and these statements are the latest in a succession of actions which violate the terms of his bail.
Sources close to the MDP leadership informed olhuala.com that Annie said "Work to get as many people onto the streets. All of the shadow cabinet members should also be with the protestors. If the police are unable to break up the demonstration within four hours, I too will come and join you on the street” during a conference call to a meeting at G. Fus last Thursday.
"I will go there even if I am still serving under a judicial warrant. I will go there in defiance."
Some members of the shadow cabinet aired reservations about such a ploy prompting a further meeting at M. Yaagoothuge, the address where Annie is resident. The convening of the meeting was a further violation of his bail conditions.
Among the most vehement opponents of Annie's plan is Mohamed Waheed, who leads a faction within the MDP opposing the Ibra-Annie axis. However, the failure of MDP actions on Wednesday and Thursday has seen Ibra's position as party leader seriously undermined: he does not carry much political weight now and is seen as a lame duck leader.
This has seen Annie make advances at courting Waheed who is acknowledged to have the support of the moderates within the party. Annie has over the past few days discussed with Waheed the possibility of Waheed joining the protests; Waheed made positive responses although he set conditions for his involvement which Annie and Ibra have so far been unable to accommodate.
Coming out of Friday's meeting, Waheed-aide Wadhoodh sounded out a number of moderates within MDP who are increasingly disenchanted with the course of MDP actions.
It is felt that Annie's proposed action is seen by moderates as an opportunity for Waheed to take a stranglehold of the party. Sources within the Justice Ministry confirm that Annie will have no leeway in this matter: it is specifically stated that violation of bail terms will automatically lead to Annie being taken back into custody.
With his trial rumoured to start soon in any case, Ibra will also find his own position further weakened by association with next Tuesday's actions.
Wadhoodh was reported to have said: "Waheed will wait and see what transpires. It is a win-win situation for him because either way Annie and Ibra are going to be out of Waheed's way soon.
"Waheed will take over the MDP or walk away and form a new party."
Click to read full story