A republic is a form of government run by the citizens: Solih

A republic is a form of government run by the citizens in which decisions are made with dignified and peaceful debate, says president-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

In a statement issued to mark the 50th Republic Day, the president-elect sent his best wishes to the people and said that a republic is a form of government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

In the press release, Solih said that, under a republic, the most important responsibility of an elected leader is to be accountable to the citizens and that the people have the right to steer the country according to their wishes.

An elected leader has the responsibility to uphold justice, Solih said, adding that it was for the citizens to decide whether to approve or disapprove of the government leadership in the past 10 terms.

He also said his top priority as the new president will be to uphold the right of citizens to rule over the nation, since they are the true leaders.

Highlighting the history of Maldives as a republic, Solih noted that the first president, Mohamed Amin Didi, was removed after only seven months and the Maldives’ monarchy was restored. In 1954, King Muhammad Fareed Didi began his rule but was deposed in 1968 when Maldives became a republic for the second time.

At the end of his press release, Solih expressed his wish that his new government will establish peace and progress in the country.