Main ruling MDP passes motion to declare state of emergency

Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) has passed a motion for the country to move into a state of emergency, in order to give Maldives Police Service (MPS) the chance to arrest all terrorists.

The motion was passed at the virtual National Congress meeting held on Sunday, and was submitted by party leader, Speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed.

It was passed with majority 39 members out of the 43 that had taken part in the meeting, voting in favour.

While presenting the motion, Nasheed stated that the appeal was formed to take necessary steps, considering the information shared by the Police Commissioner Mohamed Hameed and the Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem on 24th July 2021. Nasheed also stated that he is making this announcement on behalf of the majority of MDP who strongly believe that the country must move into a state of emergency, to determine the extent of threat of religious extremism and to allow security services to capture terrorists.

While incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has the power to declare a state of emergency, Nasheed stressed that MDP's motion does not intend to meddle with this, after some members expressed concern over passing the motion without allowing President Solih a chance to speak on the issue.

Article 253 of the Maldives Constitution provides the country’s president with the power to declare a state of emergency in the event of a national security threat in all or part of the country for a period not exceeding thirty days.

The Maldives has gone into a state of emergency on multiple occasions, with the last one announced by former President Abdulla Yameen back in February 2018 following a Supreme Court order to release political detainees. It was lifted after 45 days.

MDP National Congress' decision comes a day after police revealed details of the investigation into the terrorist attack on Nasheed back in May. Police had confirmed that the attack was carried out by ISIS ideologists that believed that Nasheed was an infidel and should be assassinated. 10 people from this terrorist cell have been taken into custody in relation to the May 6 attack, including one believed to be a leader.

Police had stressed that the suspects were intent on carrying forward with the attack by any means, with plans to even carry out a suicide attack, with no concerns about hurting bystanders. They are to have been planning this attack since 2019, when they bought the motorcycle used in the bomb attack.