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Ibra and MDP make U-turn on talks boycott
Moonisa Easa, Political Analyst
Male’, Maldives, 9th February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – The MDP met with the visiting Commonwealth envoy Tan Sri Musa Hitam in Hulhule yesterday in a welcome sign of the softening of the party’s stance. While the party maintained up till yesterday that they were unwilling to take part in any dialogue until a list of demands were met as a precondition, top-ranking officials met with Hitam and exchanged frank views on constitutional reform.
Hitam met the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) vice president Ibrahim Zaki and also with figurehead president Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra). Zaki presented a formal statement outlining the party’s demands to the government.
Ismail travelled separately to Hulhule and met Hitam and held an open and frank discussion about the features and characteristics the party wants in the amended constitution as well as their views of President Gayoom’s list of proposed changes to the constitution.
Although observers welcomed Ibra’s conduct, it was unclear whether they were endorsed or authorised by his party. Tensions are still high after Chairman Mohamed Nasheed wrested all decision-making powers by what Ibra’s camp have labelled ‘a creative interpretation of the party constitution.’
Ibra’s u-turn is also thought to be driven by a fear, shared by others within the party, of being bypassed and completely sidelined and excluded from the reform process if they persist with their boycott. The DRP have indicated that they feel capable of progressing with the other parties’ full cooperation even if the MDP do not take part.
Hitam left the Maldives last night after concluding a fruitful first visit of many in his task of providing expert advise on the new constitution. According to sources, he revealed that he felt his visit had been misinterpreted by certain political parties and sections of the media.
Hitam believes his mission is just to advise on the constitution and that he was not aware of any mediation role. President Gayoom invited all the political parties to a round table discussion; the Commonwealth’s assistance was never sought in this aspect.
Hitam also met senior officials from the DRP, Adhaalaath Party and the IDP. The DRP were represented by Minister of Higher Education, Employment and Social Security Abdulla Yameen, Minister of Health Ilyas Ibrahim, Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed, Justice Minister Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed and the Attorney General Hassan Saeed. The high level of the DRP delegation signified the importance the party accords to the acceleration of the Special Majilis’ work.
The developments were welcomed with caution by many involved in the reform process. “If Ibra was indeed speaking to the Commonwealth with Annie’s authorisation, the future of the constitutional reform process looks rosy”, said Sun Travel Ahmed Siyam of the DRP. “Maybe we will soon see a day when MDP [Special Majilis] members stop jumping up every few seconds saying ‘nizaamee nuguthaaeh’ [point of order].”
The progress of the work of the Special Majilis has been excruciatingly slow due to this tactic used by MDP members. All speakers’ speeches have been interrupted by MDP members intermittently claiming a point of order. Under Special Majilis rules, the Majilis President has to allow the objector to explain his claim; 99% of the time, the claim is invalid and has nothing to do with a point of order. Any action by the Majilis President to limit this blatant abuse of the rules has resulted in accusations of restricting members’ rights by MDP members.
Hitam’s visit also rubbishes Ibra’s claim last year that he would not visit the Maldives until Annie was released unconditionally and all charges dropped. Ibra is quoted making these false accusations in Issue 176, 25th September 2005 of Adduvas weekly.
Click to read full story
Moonisa Easa, Political Analyst
Male’, Maldives, 9th February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – The MDP met with the visiting Commonwealth envoy Tan Sri Musa Hitam in Hulhule yesterday in a welcome sign of the softening of the party’s stance. While the party maintained up till yesterday that they were unwilling to take part in any dialogue until a list of demands were met as a precondition, top-ranking officials met with Hitam and exchanged frank views on constitutional reform.
Hitam met the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) vice president Ibrahim Zaki and also with figurehead president Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra). Zaki presented a formal statement outlining the party’s demands to the government.
Ismail travelled separately to Hulhule and met Hitam and held an open and frank discussion about the features and characteristics the party wants in the amended constitution as well as their views of President Gayoom’s list of proposed changes to the constitution.
Although observers welcomed Ibra’s conduct, it was unclear whether they were endorsed or authorised by his party. Tensions are still high after Chairman Mohamed Nasheed wrested all decision-making powers by what Ibra’s camp have labelled ‘a creative interpretation of the party constitution.’
Ibra’s u-turn is also thought to be driven by a fear, shared by others within the party, of being bypassed and completely sidelined and excluded from the reform process if they persist with their boycott. The DRP have indicated that they feel capable of progressing with the other parties’ full cooperation even if the MDP do not take part.
Hitam left the Maldives last night after concluding a fruitful first visit of many in his task of providing expert advise on the new constitution. According to sources, he revealed that he felt his visit had been misinterpreted by certain political parties and sections of the media.
Hitam believes his mission is just to advise on the constitution and that he was not aware of any mediation role. President Gayoom invited all the political parties to a round table discussion; the Commonwealth’s assistance was never sought in this aspect.
Hitam also met senior officials from the DRP, Adhaalaath Party and the IDP. The DRP were represented by Minister of Higher Education, Employment and Social Security Abdulla Yameen, Minister of Health Ilyas Ibrahim, Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed, Justice Minister Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed and the Attorney General Hassan Saeed. The high level of the DRP delegation signified the importance the party accords to the acceleration of the Special Majilis’ work.
The developments were welcomed with caution by many involved in the reform process. “If Ibra was indeed speaking to the Commonwealth with Annie’s authorisation, the future of the constitutional reform process looks rosy”, said Sun Travel Ahmed Siyam of the DRP. “Maybe we will soon see a day when MDP [Special Majilis] members stop jumping up every few seconds saying ‘nizaamee nuguthaaeh’ [point of order].”
The progress of the work of the Special Majilis has been excruciatingly slow due to this tactic used by MDP members. All speakers’ speeches have been interrupted by MDP members intermittently claiming a point of order. Under Special Majilis rules, the Majilis President has to allow the objector to explain his claim; 99% of the time, the claim is invalid and has nothing to do with a point of order. Any action by the Majilis President to limit this blatant abuse of the rules has resulted in accusations of restricting members’ rights by MDP members.
Hitam’s visit also rubbishes Ibra’s claim last year that he would not visit the Maldives until Annie was released unconditionally and all charges dropped. Ibra is quoted making these false accusations in Issue 176, 25th September 2005 of Adduvas weekly.
Click to read full story