Former Foreign Minister and current UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief Dr. Ahmed Shaheed says that an alliance between former Presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed was vital, if the nation was serious about change.
He made the statement in a tweet posted.
Verikan badhalukuran beynun nama neren jeheynee @MohamedNasheed aai @maumoonagayoom ge ihthihaadeh! Otherwise we are not serious abt change! https://t.co/ALwq0uslx1
— Ahmed Shaheed (@ahmedshaheed) November 11, 2017
In a phone interview to RaajjeMV regarding the tweet, Dr. Shaheed said based on the current political situation this was vital to secure 2018 Presidential elections. As the duo commanded the most respect locally, Dr. Shaheed said it was likely that such an alliance will take up 80 percent of votes.
He said if the nation was serious about change, personal interests must be set to aside and national interest must come to front. The former Foreign Minister added he hoped all in the opposition will see this as such.
When questioned on why an alliance between Presidents Maumoon and Nasheed was vital, he said it was difficult to ensure a free and fair elections and a united front with the two will make it hard for election and voter fraud.
Dr. Shaheed’s tweet came at the time when the opposition are deliberating on one candidate for 2018 Presidential elections.
