moreviolenceplanned
January 24th announced after recalculation
Moonisa Easa, Political Analyst
Male’, Maldives, 21st January 2006 (olhuala.com) – The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) shadow cabinet has arrived at a consensus to call for a 'final push' for public revolt on January 24th after the setbacks suffered during the past week. This decision was arrived at after hours of deliberation over the past two days and is expected to be announced to members and cells within the next few hours.
What actions constitute the plan of action are yet to be agreed although there is general consensus that events will kick off with civil actions and will include unspecified 'direct action to increase numbers participating in or attending street demonstrations'.
Reports say that ‘protest paraphernalia’ have been sent to islands and have been lying dormant for several days with noone willing to use them. Regular MDP members have failed to lend support for the leadership’s decisions as they see themselves being treated as pawns in the interests of the leaders.
The ‘protests’ MDP have so far been able to organize have consisted of a few drug-fueled youths and a rabble of little boys filled with childish curiosity. This has drawn strong protests from parents and schools who see the MDP as willing to sacrifice the nation’s future in their lust for power.
Much of the negotiations over the last few days were carried out at M. Yaagoothuge, the residence of Mohamed Nasheed (Annie). Other negotiations took place at Sikka Ahmed Ismail's G. Fus among the MDP shadow cabinet who were in regular phone conferences with Nasheed, David Hardingham and Nicholas Grace.
The main decision-making responsibilities of the MDP have seemingly moved away from the party's elected national executive into the hands of the Ibra-appointed shadow cabinet - a change unendorsed at the party congress nor by the party's regular members.
Sources close to the MDP leadership inform olhuala.com that heated words have been exchanged between Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra), the party leader and Annie, due to the repeated humiliation the MDP had suffered in Male’ and Addu due lack of public support for their violent methods. “Ibra and Annie have had a great falling out during the last couple of days. I think Ibra’s days as party leader are numbered. It is Annie who actually calls all the shots” says Ali Faiz, a disgruntled MDP backbencher (member of Constitutional Assembly for Ba Atoll).
Inside sources also reveal that MDP's main decision-makers including Grace and Hardingham, have critised Ibra’s performance. There is growing pressure for him to stand down as party leader. He is also facing charges of swindling the MDP's money.
Meanwhile Mohamed Waheed has been making further moves in his revived leadership push. He spent the day sounding out die-hard supporters such as the Addu group led by Mavota Shareef. It is believed the two main options under consideration are: forcing of Ibra's resignation leading to a leadership election or splitting the MDP down the middle and forming a new political party.
The first option is favoured by Waheed however it would involve the calling of new elections; which means organising another costly 'national congress'. The MDP leadership is still having trouble settling bills arising out of the first congress.
Click to read full story
Moonisa Easa, Political Analyst
Male’, Maldives, 21st January 2006 (olhuala.com) – The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) shadow cabinet has arrived at a consensus to call for a 'final push' for public revolt on January 24th after the setbacks suffered during the past week. This decision was arrived at after hours of deliberation over the past two days and is expected to be announced to members and cells within the next few hours.
What actions constitute the plan of action are yet to be agreed although there is general consensus that events will kick off with civil actions and will include unspecified 'direct action to increase numbers participating in or attending street demonstrations'.
Reports say that ‘protest paraphernalia’ have been sent to islands and have been lying dormant for several days with noone willing to use them. Regular MDP members have failed to lend support for the leadership’s decisions as they see themselves being treated as pawns in the interests of the leaders.
The ‘protests’ MDP have so far been able to organize have consisted of a few drug-fueled youths and a rabble of little boys filled with childish curiosity. This has drawn strong protests from parents and schools who see the MDP as willing to sacrifice the nation’s future in their lust for power.
Much of the negotiations over the last few days were carried out at M. Yaagoothuge, the residence of Mohamed Nasheed (Annie). Other negotiations took place at Sikka Ahmed Ismail's G. Fus among the MDP shadow cabinet who were in regular phone conferences with Nasheed, David Hardingham and Nicholas Grace.
The main decision-making responsibilities of the MDP have seemingly moved away from the party's elected national executive into the hands of the Ibra-appointed shadow cabinet - a change unendorsed at the party congress nor by the party's regular members.
Sources close to the MDP leadership inform olhuala.com that heated words have been exchanged between Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra), the party leader and Annie, due to the repeated humiliation the MDP had suffered in Male’ and Addu due lack of public support for their violent methods. “Ibra and Annie have had a great falling out during the last couple of days. I think Ibra’s days as party leader are numbered. It is Annie who actually calls all the shots” says Ali Faiz, a disgruntled MDP backbencher (member of Constitutional Assembly for Ba Atoll).
Inside sources also reveal that MDP's main decision-makers including Grace and Hardingham, have critised Ibra’s performance. There is growing pressure for him to stand down as party leader. He is also facing charges of swindling the MDP's money.
Meanwhile Mohamed Waheed has been making further moves in his revived leadership push. He spent the day sounding out die-hard supporters such as the Addu group led by Mavota Shareef. It is believed the two main options under consideration are: forcing of Ibra's resignation leading to a leadership election or splitting the MDP down the middle and forming a new political party.
The first option is favoured by Waheed however it would involve the calling of new elections; which means organising another costly 'national congress'. The MDP leadership is still having trouble settling bills arising out of the first congress.
Click to read full story