Former Ambassador to the European Union (EU), Ali Hussain Didi has officially endorsed Joint Opposition’s presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Didi, who also served as the Immigration Controller, said that he made the decision based on Solih’s strong character.

Noting that Solih has shown patience, intellect and ability to work with those with different belief, Didi said ‘this is what Maldives needs in a leader right now’.

He further noted that the country has been divided for around 10 years ‘due to the political war’.

While Didi has remained away from the political scene for a long period, he said that the country’s current status has forced him to be more active.

Further noting that Maldives is currently at ‘crossroads,’ he said that ‘the affects of today’s decision will linger’.

Didi said that his hope is that Solih is able to calm the political situation, and get rid of the division and ‘bring the country together’.

In addition, he said that EU is closely monitoring the situation here especially how free and fair Sunday’s election is.

“If it is free and fair, there will not be sanctions. It is not just the election, they will look into administrative issues and human rights as well’, added Didi.

Back in July, EU adopted a framework to impose sanctions on human rights abusers in the Maldives. While they have yet to take any further steps on the matter, UK’s Ambassador James Dauris told RaajjeTV that ‘it depends on how free and fair September’s elections are’.