Police on red alert as MDP's mass protest set to shake Malé
Security forces in Maldives have been placed on high alert ahead of major opposition protest scheduled for Friday night
Officers active as part of a police operation
Security forces have been placed on high alert ahead of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) major protest scheduled for Friday night in the capital. All officers of the Maldives Police Service (MPS) have been ordered to go on red alert starting from 6pm Friday, as tensions continue to rise over growing opposition to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration.
The order was issued following a high-level emergency meeting held on Thursday at the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) headquarters, Bandaara Koshi. The closed-door session included Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan, Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, and senior police and military officials. The meeting focused on potential scenarios surrounding the protest and measures to ensure control over the situation.
The MDP, backed by other opposition figures and parties, has mobilized heavily for the protest. Citizens from across the country have travelled to the capital Malé City to take part, signaling a potentially massive turnout. Adhaalath Party (AP) has also confirmed its participation, and former Presidents Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Mohamed Nasheed have also voiced strong support for public involvement.
In what critics see as a coordinated effort to suppress turnout, government institutions and state-owned companies, despite Friday being an official holiday, have scheduled various mandatory activities, reportedly aimed at limiting employee participation in the protest.
In a further escalation, the government has sought court approval to freeze MDP’s financial accounts just days before the protest. These developments, combined with increased security measures, have amplified concerns about political suppression and rising authoritarianism.
As Friday night looms, the capital is bracing for what could be one of the largest political demonstrations in recent years. With both sides locked in a battle of optics and control, the protest is shaping up to be a defining moment in the country's political trajectory.
