A delegation of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs (DPA) met with Fisheries Minister Dr Mohamed Shainee on Monday.

The UN delegation arrived in Maldives on Sunday for a three-day official trip.

The delegation also met with senior members of the opposition Jumhoree Party (JP) and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

In an earlier tweet, the UN said its team is in Maldives to ‘continue engagement with the Government, political parties and civil society representatives.’

Following the declaration of a nation-wide state of emergency in the Maldives on 5th February, the United Nations had called on the government to lift the state of emergency. It has also repeatedly called on the government and opposition to hold dialogue, in order to resolve the issues within the country, even offering to be a mediator in the process.

While Hindustan Times, citing UN spokesperson Farhan Haq, reported that the Maldivian authorities had turned down the UN’s offer for mediation, Minister Shainee refuted this, saying that President Abdulla Yameen “has not rejected UN’s role in all-party talks”.

Shainee, who is the government’s representative in the all-party talks, said that “UN participation is a request by the President himself,” adding that it is the opposition that “keeps blocking” the talks.

Following the controversial Supreme Court ruling on 1st February, the government had called to restart dialogue, but the opposition called to implement the court ruling before heading to any talks.

United Nation’s Department of Political Affairs (DPA) plays a central role in the efforts to prevent and resolve conflict around the world.