MDP national council approves nationwide protests on Thursday

The National Council of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Monday approved a resolution proposed by the party's Chairperson and former President, Mohamed Nasheed, to hold protests across the Maldives on Thursday.

The meeting was the first National Council session chaired by Nasheed since his election as MDP Chairperson. The resolution was passed unanimously by the 52 council members in attendance.

According to the resolution, the party plans to organise demonstrations nationwide in response to what it described as actions taken by the administration of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

The resolution cites three issues as the basis for the protests. These include the extension of deadlines for the completion of water and sewerage projects in inhabited islands, which the party said had delayed projects initiated during the previous MDP administration.

The resolution also alleges that employees of state-owned enterprises have faced termination, suspension or transfers to islands away from their families due to their political views or participation in MDP campaign activities.

In addition, the party claims that individuals have been subjected to politically motivated charges for exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Alongside the planned protests, the resolution sets out two additional measures.

The MDP said it would work with local councils where it holds a majority to explore ways for councils to independently implement and manage projects that have been halted by the central government.

The party also plans to establish a mechanism to provide legal assistance to individuals arrested during the protests and to those it says have been unfairly dismissed from their employment.