Criticisms have been aimed at former Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon over misunderstanding a tweet from former President Mohamed Nasheed regarding her father, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who is ailing in jail.
In a tweet on Thursday, Dunya tagged India’s external minister Shushma Swaraj and said that India is failing in its responsibility to maintain stability and assist democracy in the Maldives and appealed India to assist her father, who has been in jail after being charged with attempting to overthrow the government.
‘I believe India is failing in its responsibility to maintain stability & assist democracy in the Maldives. I appeal to India to assist my father Pres Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the father of modern Maldives & the architect of india-Maldives relations in t modern era.’@SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/hMEYvEDXxI
— Dunya Maumoon (@dunyamaumoon) May 3, 2018
Some on social media noted that she was particularly critical of the opposition’s call for foreign intervention when she was working for her uncle, incumbent President Yameen’s administration and had also criticized the opposition coalition’s activities with foreign organizations even after she had left the administration. This was even after her father, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, joined the opposition.
Replying to the tweet, Nasheed, leader of the main opposition party MDP, said he was pleased that Dunya understands the need for Indian intervention in the Maldives, adding that he holds the same view.
I am pleased @dunyamaumoon -- Prez Yameen's former Foreign Minister and @maumoonagayoom's daughter -- understands the need for Indian intervention in the Maldives. I have always held the same view.
— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) May 3, 2018
Replying to Nasheed, Dunya said she was not calling for Indian military intervention, even though Nasheed had not mentioned the involvement of India’s military.
“You would no doubt agree with me on the need to protect the sovereignty and independence of Maldives whilst maintaining Indian Ocean stability.”
With due respect, Former President @MohamedNasheed, I am not calling for Indian military intervention. You would no doubt agree with me on the need to protect the sovereignty and independence of Maldives whilst maintaining Indian Ocean stability.
— Dunya Maumoon (@dunyamaumoon) May 4, 2018
A flurry of criticisms has been aimed at Dunya for misinterpreting Nasheed’s tweet, which was in support of his fellow opposition leader Maumoon.