President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has vowed that the new administration will not discriminate between political beliefs, ethnicity, or any other conditions and all the citizens shall have universal access to all available services.
Addressing the nation after his presidential inauguration, President Solih stated that he will strive to the best of his abilities to serve the people as a whole and vowed to ensure there will be no discrimination towards the people of Maldives.
He further noted that the new constitution brought with it a state system, constituting of three separate powers. Continuing in this regard, the President highlighted that what we are witnessing today is a people lamenting a hijacked constitution, and with it the democratic state we had envisioned.
In his speech, President Solih emphasized, as the responsibility of the highest office, the most preeminent concern for the Maldivian people is that of expediting the process of strengthening the rule of law and protecting the peace and security of the nation. The President also said that the past ten years indicate the pressing urgency to reform the judicial system, to enhance the accountability of the Supreme Court to the people.
The President further stressed that, as stipulated in the Constitution, practicing justices ought to be assured an enabling atmosphere where they may conduct fair hearings free from external coercion, and underscored that competent justices, equipped with extensive judicial expertise, and who possess valiant integrity, are a necessary prerequisite to thoroughly safeguard the citizens’ right to justice. Continuing in this regard, the President stated that reforming the judicial system will be one of the highest priority areas in his administration.
President Solih further noted that the country is in a precarious financial situation, and the treasury has endured a colossal blow owing to reckless mega development projects undertaken purely for political gain.
“Large-scale embezzlement and corruption have dwindled the coffers of the state by billions of rufiyaa. This money belongs to the Maldivian people, money that should have been spent for the common good of the people.”
In his inaugural address, President Solih also highlighted that the precise scale and amount of financial loss due to theft, corruption, and negligence are still unclear. He stated that despite the bleak financial situation that the country has been plunged into, his resolution to maintain the continuity of services for the people remains firm. The President said that international support and assistance will be needed to achieve this challenging goal.
The President also reassured that he will ensure absolute legal protection for whistle-blowers, to strengthen the responsibilities of the Anti-Corruption Commission and to hold the Commission accountable and added that he would pave the way to lodge any form of issue or complaint with the government to assess and effectively respond to such concerns. The President also stated that necessary actions will be taken, by all means, in the pursuit to uphold the constitution, rule of law and protect the rights and freedoms of the Maldivian people.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was sworn into the office at a special assembly of the People’s Majlis held on Saturday at the National Stadium. The Vice President-Elect Faisal Naseem was also sworn into office at today’s inaugural ceremony. The oath was administered by the Chief Justice.
The Presidential Inauguration ceremony was attended by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, Former President of Sri Lanka Chandrika Kumaratunga, and other foreign dignitaries.
Also in attendance at the inauguration were former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, former President Mohamed Nasheed, and former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed.
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