Maldives United Opposition

Last updated
Maldives United Opposition
AbbreviationMUO
Leader Mohamed Jameel Ahmed
Founded1 June 2016 (2016-06-01)
DissolvedSeptember 2018
Website
maldivesunitedopposition.com (archived)

The Maldives United Opposition was a Maldivian political coalition consisting of political parties with different political ideologies. It was established in June 2016 with the goal of removing president Abdulla Yameen. [1] It was dissolved in 2018, after Yameen lost the 2018 presidential election.

Contents

History

In London, rival opposition groups of the government, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Adhaalath Party (AP), as well as former deputies of president Abdulla Yameen's cabinet, as well as former defence minister Mohamed Nazim, formed the Maldives United Opposition. [2] [3] The party established Mohamed Jameel Ahmed as the leader of the party. [2]

Rallies and protests

First rally

In 2016, the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure originally granted MDP a permit to hold a rally in Malé, but later withdrew it, the minister Mohamed Muizzu saying that it was granted to MDP and not "some group called the united coalition". [4] [5] The MUO later rescheduled the rally to the 21st, but later cancelled due to bad weather. [5] Opposition MP Ahmed Mahloof and others were arrested for promoting the rally using a megaphone on a parked pickup truck. [6] The rally took place at the MDP meeting hall and thousands of supporters came. Riot police was blocking Majeedhee Magu and pushing people onto the pavement. [7] [8] Many were arrested including Ahmed Mahloof, and foreigners. [8] [9] [10]

MUO has seen low turnout at its later rallies, MUO spokesman Ali Zahir saying that the people are scared to come out. [11] [10]

Surprise protest

On 31 August 2016, hundreds of protesters marched with raincoats in Malé, demanding the resignation of Abdulla Yameen as president of the Maldives. [12] Riot police soon arrived and pepper sprayed the crowd and dispersed the gathering. [12]

Shadow cabinet

MUO wanted the government of Abdulla Yameen to resign and to form an interim government. So, MUO created a shadow cabinet, so when Abdulla Yameen's government resigns, MUO's shadow cabinet will take over as the interim government. [13]

The following shows the shadow cabinet members and their positions: [14] [15] [16]

NamePosition
Mohamed Jameel Ahmed Leader of the Maldives United Opposition
Ali Waheed Deputy Leader of the Maldives United Opposition
Abdulla AmeenShadow Minister of Defence and National Security
Mohamed Shihab Shadow Minister of Finance and Treasury
Ahmed Thasmeen Ali Shadow Minister of Home Affairs
Ahmed NaseemShadow Minister of Foreign Affairs
Adam Azim Shadow Minister of Trade and Transport
Mohamed AslamShadow Minister of Environment, Clean Energy, and Waste Management
Hisaan HussainShadow Minister of Judicial Reform
Ahmed NasheedShadow Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
Shifa MohamedShadow Minister of Education
Mustafa Lutfi Shadow Minister of Higher Education
Mohamed ShifazShadow Minister of Youth and Sports
Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari Shadow Minister of Islamic Affairs
Hassan Latheef Shadow Minister of Civil Rights
Gais NaseerShadow Minister of Local Government and Decentralisation
Ibrahim AmeerShadow Minister of International Financial Agreements, Fisheries and Agriculture
Shidhatha ShareefShadow Minister of Health, Social Protection and Gender
Maleeh JamalShadow Minister of Resort & Guesthouse Tourism
Ali NiyazShadow Minister of Elections Commission & Independent Institutions Reform
Hussain ShameemShadow Minister of Constitutional Reform
Ahmed MahloofSpokesperson for the United Opposition

2018 presidential election

After Mohamed Nasheed withdrew his candidacy for president, the MOU agreed on Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. [17] MDP's presidential ticket was given to Solih. [17]

Member parties

References

  1. ↑ "Call for President Yaameen Abdul Gayoom's immediate resignation". Maldives United Opposition. 7 September 2016. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Maldives opposition shows united front, urges supporters to "set aside differences"". Maldives Independent. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  3. ↑ Mitra, Devirupa (31 May 2016). "From Old Foes to New Friends: Maldivian Opposition Unites in London". The Wire . Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  4. ↑ "Government in u-turn cancels permit for opposition rally". Maldives Independent. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Opposition coalition reschedules first rally for July 21". Maldives Independent. 16 July 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  6. ↑ "ޖަލްސާ އަށް ގޮވުމުގެ ތެރޭގައި މަހުލޫފް ހައްޔަރުކޮށްފި" [During the promotion of rally Mahloof arrested]. Mihaaru (in Divehi). 16 July 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  7. ↑ "Opposition coalition gears up for first rally". Maldives Independent. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Thousands gather for opposition coalition's first rally – as it happened". Maldives Independent. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  9. ↑ "Foreign couple arrested after photographing opposition rally". Maldives Independent. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Has the Maldives United Opposition failed to 'restore democracy'?". Maldives Independent. 2 October 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "Fear contributes to low turnout at MUO rallies". Maldives Independent. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Security forces on alert as opposition stages surprise protest". Maldives Independent. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  13. ↑ Khandekar, Omkar (5 July 2016). "Chaos Islands: a Surprising New Alliance Makes a Play for Power in the Maldives". The Caravan . Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  14. ↑ "Opposition announces shadow cabinet". Maldives Independent. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  15. ↑ "Opposition calls for interim govt., announces shadow cabinet". Avas. 1 June 2016. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019.
  16. ↑ Menon, Parvathi (1 June 2016). "Maldives opposition forms shadow govt. in London; seeks help from India". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  17. 1 2 "Maldives opposition agrees on single candidate after Nasheed's withdrawal". Avas. 30 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022.
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