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Rifts deepen but Ibra fights back
Muruthasil Aslam, Staff Writer
Male', Maldives 16th February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – The MDP remains a party in turmoil today as different factions are engaged in a power struggle which is fast spiraling out of control. Several top officials have come out as opponents of current leader Ibrahim Ismail Ibra and yet others have all but confirmed their exit from the party.
Ibra has however negotiated a momentary settlement with his shadow cabinet with them agreeing to call off or postpone the proposed demonstration, planned for today. It was also agreed that the ongoing week-long ‘protest against President’s Members in the Special Majilis’ has been poorly managed. Ibra acknowledged that the public as well as most MDP members were unaware that such an action was being taken. Ibra was said to be opposed to the action.
Numerous cell leaders reported that the MDP lost a great deal of credibility due to its failed demonstration of January 24th. Many in the atolls share the Attorney General’s view that the gathering was illegal and an attempt at provocation. Calls for violent gathering are to be halted due to the large numbers who are deserting the party.
Observers note that leaders such as Ibra and Chairman Mohamed Nasheed Anni are now having to face the consequences of the current political climate which was engineered by the MDP by using filth and unfounded allegations about government officials and other respectable members of society.
In a related development, one of Ibra’s henchmen popularly known as ‘Echey’, a member of Jambu Gofi (cell) in Male’ has publicly rebelled against his leader. Two nights ago graffiti was discovered on a wall inside his house with the words “Ibra isthiufaa” [resign]. Local MDP members were quick to corner Echey and a crowd was mobilized in an instant. The affair went on well into the small hours until Echey had to call the police to remove the crowds surrounding his house.
Sources within the Jambu Gofi say that Echey, who is under Ibra’s pay, was acting on direct orders from Annie when he painted the slogan on his wall. It is also reported that Echey has been increasingly disgruntled with Ibra as the figurehead leader was adhering to more civilised tactics and was opposed to Annie’s militant and revolutionary methods.
Ibra sent round some people to remove the offending graffiti. They were unable to remove the incriminating material and therefore proceeded to board up the area. However, last night, the new surface was similarly vandalised, causing uproar among Ibra’s coterie. Pressure is now being applied to have Echey ejected from the party.
News sources report that Moosa Maniku Reeko, member of the MDP’s shadow cabinet has indeed made final preparations to leave the MDP, to join the Maldivian Social Democratic Party (MSDP) formed by elder brother Ibrahim Maniku Reeko.
It is widely rumoured among MDP members that Mohamed Nasheed Kaanal, who was elected to the Special Majilis (Male’) last December is also contemplating resigning from the MDP. Kaanal has been irritated that he was not included in Ibra’s shadow cabinet although he was one of the most vocal supporters of Ibra.
One of our sources who wished to remain anonymous said “Kaanal is really angry with Annie, for forcing him [Kaanal] to go against the promises he [Kaanal] made during his election campaign [Kaanal promised that he would not partake in any of the illegal demonstrations organised by the MDP bigwigs]. For instance it was Annie who personally forced Kaanal to go the Jumhooree Maidhaan on the 13th of January. Kaanal is only holding on to see if Ibra offers him a shadow cabinet post. If he does not he will simply quit the party.”
Olhuala.com has further learnt that the ruling Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) finds the present condition of the MDP to be ideal. A top official, on condition of anonymity says: “If we want to forge ahead with the reform process, we need a disunited opposition. Every time the party has these little playground fights, their tactical discipline in blocking speeches in the Special Majilis disintegrates and the Majilis is able to progress in its tasks.
“On the other hand, it is not in our interests for that party to disappear altogether. So I cannot rule out that some benevolent members within the DRP are actually propping up Ibra right now.”
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Muruthasil Aslam, Staff Writer
Male', Maldives 16th February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – The MDP remains a party in turmoil today as different factions are engaged in a power struggle which is fast spiraling out of control. Several top officials have come out as opponents of current leader Ibrahim Ismail Ibra and yet others have all but confirmed their exit from the party.Ibra has however negotiated a momentary settlement with his shadow cabinet with them agreeing to call off or postpone the proposed demonstration, planned for today. It was also agreed that the ongoing week-long ‘protest against President’s Members in the Special Majilis’ has been poorly managed. Ibra acknowledged that the public as well as most MDP members were unaware that such an action was being taken. Ibra was said to be opposed to the action.
Numerous cell leaders reported that the MDP lost a great deal of credibility due to its failed demonstration of January 24th. Many in the atolls share the Attorney General’s view that the gathering was illegal and an attempt at provocation. Calls for violent gathering are to be halted due to the large numbers who are deserting the party.
Observers note that leaders such as Ibra and Chairman Mohamed Nasheed Anni are now having to face the consequences of the current political climate which was engineered by the MDP by using filth and unfounded allegations about government officials and other respectable members of society.
In a related development, one of Ibra’s henchmen popularly known as ‘Echey’, a member of Jambu Gofi (cell) in Male’ has publicly rebelled against his leader. Two nights ago graffiti was discovered on a wall inside his house with the words “Ibra isthiufaa” [resign]. Local MDP members were quick to corner Echey and a crowd was mobilized in an instant. The affair went on well into the small hours until Echey had to call the police to remove the crowds surrounding his house.
Sources within the Jambu Gofi say that Echey, who is under Ibra’s pay, was acting on direct orders from Annie when he painted the slogan on his wall. It is also reported that Echey has been increasingly disgruntled with Ibra as the figurehead leader was adhering to more civilised tactics and was opposed to Annie’s militant and revolutionary methods.
Ibra sent round some people to remove the offending graffiti. They were unable to remove the incriminating material and therefore proceeded to board up the area. However, last night, the new surface was similarly vandalised, causing uproar among Ibra’s coterie. Pressure is now being applied to have Echey ejected from the party.
News sources report that Moosa Maniku Reeko, member of the MDP’s shadow cabinet has indeed made final preparations to leave the MDP, to join the Maldivian Social Democratic Party (MSDP) formed by elder brother Ibrahim Maniku Reeko.
It is widely rumoured among MDP members that Mohamed Nasheed Kaanal, who was elected to the Special Majilis (Male’) last December is also contemplating resigning from the MDP. Kaanal has been irritated that he was not included in Ibra’s shadow cabinet although he was one of the most vocal supporters of Ibra.
One of our sources who wished to remain anonymous said “Kaanal is really angry with Annie, for forcing him [Kaanal] to go against the promises he [Kaanal] made during his election campaign [Kaanal promised that he would not partake in any of the illegal demonstrations organised by the MDP bigwigs]. For instance it was Annie who personally forced Kaanal to go the Jumhooree Maidhaan on the 13th of January. Kaanal is only holding on to see if Ibra offers him a shadow cabinet post. If he does not he will simply quit the party.”
Olhuala.com has further learnt that the ruling Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) finds the present condition of the MDP to be ideal. A top official, on condition of anonymity says: “If we want to forge ahead with the reform process, we need a disunited opposition. Every time the party has these little playground fights, their tactical discipline in blocking speeches in the Special Majilis disintegrates and the Majilis is able to progress in its tasks.
“On the other hand, it is not in our interests for that party to disappear altogether. So I cannot rule out that some benevolent members within the DRP are actually propping up Ibra right now.”
Click to read full story