“Performed Per Orders Of A Foreign Envoy”: Muizzu Claims Former Solih Was Unable To Uphold The Independence Of The Maldives

Without identifying the nation of origin of the aforementioned envoy, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu informed Public Service Media (PSM), the state-run media source, that his predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih received instructions from “a foreign ambassador.”

He said, “(Solih) operated under the direction of a foreign ambassador, which caused significant damage.”

When questioned about the opposition’s criticism of the army’s recent drone acquisition, he said. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) questioned Muizzu’s travel to Turkey and stated the arrangement to purchase drones from Turkey for 24-hour monitoring of Maldivian waterways was too expensive. They also claimed that there were less expensive alternatives available on the international market for the drones, raising doubts about Muizzu’s visit.

While in power from 2018 until 2023, the MDP, according to Muizzu, enjoyed a supermajority in the majlis but was unable to preserve the independence of the archipelagic country.

The newly elected president told Maldivian news agencies, “The party failed to protect the Maldives’ independence, leaving it in the hands of a foreign country.”

We had lost our economic freedom as well as all other forms of independence. After doing all of this, it seems reasonable that they would reject our attempts to address the situation and steer the nation in the direction of the Maldivians’ desire for a “Dhivehinge Raajje” (Kingdom of the Dhivehi people),” he said.

Muizzu said earlier this month that the state of the army of the smallest nation in Asia is dire and vowed to bolster the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).

The government purchased drones from Turkey to bolster its soldiers and keep an eye on its expansive exclusive economic zone. Additionally, a drone base will be established at Maafaru’s Noonu Atoll.

When Muizzu returned from China in January, he said that he was going to purchase surveillance drones. Earlier this month, he declared his intention to reorganize the army and guarantee control of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

However, Muizzu came under fire from the opposition when he withheld the amount paid for the drone purchase and stated a military secret as justification for his silence.

“I much rely on the advice of our generals and head of defense force on such things that are critical to our country’s security. As a result, I will heed their advice and pay attention to them,” he said.