Citizens must be aware of why ties with Qatar were cut: Shidhatha

Adhaalath Party’s Foreign Relations Committee chair Shidhatha Shareef says the public must be informed of why the Government of Maldives had passed to sever ties with the State of Qatar.

Shidhatha made the statement in response to Defence Minister Adam Shareef’s claims that Maldives is yet to make a decision on the terror list issued by Arab nations that cut ties with Qatar.

In a series of tweets posted in Dhivehi, Shidhatha, who serves as Shadow Cabinet Minister for Health, Social Protection and Gender at the opposition Maldivian United Opposition (MUO), said that while the Government had cited terrorism as reason to sever ties with Qatar, they were still maintaining economic ties. She pointed out the hypocrisy of the argument, noting that maintaining economic ties with a group or nation that allegedly supports terrorism, was also supporting terrorism.

She further questioned the secrecy over the list of terrorists issued by Arab nation, which Maldives is yet to make a decision on.

Defence Minister Adam Shareef on Monday said the Maldives is yet to make a decision on the list, but was considering it. The list published by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt on the 9th of this month, listed 59 individuals and 12 groups, which they say are in close connection with Qatar.

Maldives followed suit earlier this month, when six Arab nations severed ties with the State of Qatar. While no issues between Maldives and Qatar had surfaced during the 33 years of diplomacy, Maldives Foreign Ministry said the decision was taken as Qatar maintained close ties with terror groups and was a hamper on peace in the region. Public sentiment had risen over the Government’s decision.