Nazim signs no-confidence motion against President Solih

Maldives National Party (MNP)’s leader, Dhangethi MP Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim has signed the no-confidence motion being drafted by an alliance of opposition parties against President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih prompted by the government’s policies with respect to the border dispute between Maldives and Mauritius.

Nazim, speaking to Sun, said he signed the no-confidence motion as the matter is of important national concern.

He also accused President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of being negligent in Maldives losing part of its maritime territory, as stated by the opposition alliance. He went on to say that a large part of Maldivian maritime territory had been lost due to the letter President Solih sent to Mauritian prime minister without the parliament’s approval.

“It is a sole decision. A president cannot take such a decision without seeking approval from the parliament. Due to this, we have lost such a huge area,” he said.

“We are continuing to receive a large number of signatures. Hopefully, we will submit the no-confidence motion against the president at the earliest. We are holding discussions with the parties involved in these efforts,” he said.

Nazim expressed confidence that the submission of the no-confidence motion will be seen through.

“As I believe, those who do not sign this, are individuals who have betrayed the nation. We should not give such opportunties to the president,” he added.

Nazim stressed that no man should be above the law.

Article 100 (a) Maldivian constitution states that a no-confidence motion against an individual serving as the president or the vice president, for any reason, can only be submitted with the signatures of at least one-third of the parliament members. That is 29 members.

Twenty-five lawmakers represent parties in the opposition alliance; 12 from Fikuregge Dhirun, seven from PPM-PNC coalition, three from Jumhoory Party and three from MNP.

On the other hand, there are 56 pro-government lawmakers.

President Solih and the government have previously reiterated that his letter to the Mauritian prime minister informed Maldives’ recognition of Mauritius’ sovereignty over Chagos archipelago, and is in no way related to the border dispute.

ITLOS, on April 28^th, concluded that the conflicting Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between Mauritius and Maldives will be divided between the two using the equidistance formula as argued by Maldives in the case.

Thus, Maldives gains 47,232 square kilometers from the 95,563 square kilometers of maritime territory in dispute while Mauritius gains 45,331 square kilometers. 

The government has argued that Maldives loses no maritime territory in light of the ruling while the opposition claims Maldives is entitled to the entire 95,563 square kilometers of maritime territory in dispute.