The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has indefinitely postponed the rally planned in Malé to coincide with the second anniversary of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s government. The MDP had initially scheduled this rally for the 17th of this month.
The decision to postpone the demonstration was unanimously approved during last night’s MDP National Council meeting. In addition to postponing the rally, the council also passed a resolution authorizing the party leadership to determine a new date, time, and venue for the event. Ibrahim Waheed (Iburey), the MDP Deputy Chairperson who presided over the National Council meeting, stated that the main reason for the postponement was the inability to secure a venue. He explained that they were denied permission to hold the rally at the Artificial Beach, Alimas Carnival area, and Usfasgandu, with authorities effectively blocking all potential locations. Iburey added that they were also denied access to Sultan Park under the pretext that it was undergoing renovations.
According to Iburey, the government is deliberately obstructing the rally, with Home Minister Ali Ihsaan allegedly playing a significant role in these efforts. He claimed that all banners related to the rally in Hulhumalé had been removed, and attempts to mobilize participants using pickup trucks had also been prevented. This postponement comes after the MDP had previously held a rally in Malé on the 3rd of last month.
During that earlier rally, the MDP presented five demands: reversing the constitutional amendment that changed the process for removing parliament members; beginning payments owed to private companies by the state within five weeks; reversing amendments to the Decentralization Act that limited council powers; repealing the Media Commission law; and restoring Aasandha health insurance coverage and medication availability to previous levels, ensuring consistent supply of medicines.
