US Ambassador to Maldives, Atul Keshap, speaks at opening of American Centre. PHOTO/MIHAARU
The United States on Thursday called on the Maldives to establish and ensure an independent environment for the legislative branch of governance.
With regards to the current political turmoil in Parliament, the Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Atul Keshap, released a statement declaring that recent events taking place in the parliament chambers are “disturbing and unfortunate”.
“A free and fair Parliament governed by impartial rules is essential to the proper functioning of any healthy democracy,” he said in the statement that was uploaded to his official Twitter.
“I call upon the Government of Maldives to ensure that the Majlis function freely in accordance with Maldivian law and Parliamentary procedures.”
Ambassador Keshap ended his statement by assuring that the US will always stand in solidarity with the Maldivian people and the nation’s enduring democracy.
“We support your vision of a peaceful, prosperous, stable, moderate, democratic future for the Maldives.”
The final parliament sitting of the second term that was held early Thursday again saw heated fights between pro-government and pro-opposition lawmakers. While opposition MPs continued to protest that they would not allow any more sittings chaired by Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh, who they are seeking to impeach, Thursday’s parliament took an unexpected turn where lawmakers had also egged each other amidst the dispute.
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