Press Statement - 9 February 2012

PRESS STATEMENT

9 February 2012

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Good Evening. After almost a month of political upheavals in the Republic of Maldives, and the resignation of the former President Mohamed Nasheed, the people of the Maldives have lawfully accepted the constitutionally formed coalition government of President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik. The Maldives National Defence Force will uphold its constitutional mandates in supporting the constitutionally formed government.

The Maldives National Defence Force has and will always support the President and the Commander in Chief within the bounds of the constitution and ensure the safety and security mandated by the constitution to the President. In this regard it did provide the same to the former President Mohamed Nasheed and will continue to ensure the safety and security of the former President and his family as per his request and the guidance of the President and Commander in Chief Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik.

The Maldives National Defence Force strongly condemns the acts of terrorism which involved arson of public property, destruction of public property and threats posed to public safety and security forces which were conducted by the riots in the last 24 hours. It ensures the citizens of the Republic of Maldives that the people responsible for these actions will be brought to justice. The Maldives National Defence Force remains vigilant in enforcing the law and order and upholding the Constitution in the Maldives. It will take all necessary measures to ensure the constitution is upheld, public safety and public property is safeguarded. The Maldives National Defence Force assures our allied nations that the citizens and property of those nations in the Maldives will be safeguarded. The Maldives National Defence Force appreciates the support and commemoration by the public in its attempt to maintain the Republic of Maldives the safest.

Thank you

Mohamed Nazim            

Answering the Call of Duty

In my 23 years of service for this country, I have served with loyalty respect and integrity. I have put a lot of time and energy in to building this organization and making it what it is now. The initiative and situational leadership I have demonstrated on the 7th of February 2012 and the events that followed was fully motivated by my desire to evade the Maldivian Police and Maldives National Defence Force from going to a chaotic situation that could possibly get escalated as a threat to National Security and demean the name and services of these two organizations for years to come. I couldn’t simply watch this situation from my living room while I knew that as a senior retired officer of the Military, I could offer some help to resolve and rectify the issues. And hence my actions were an answer to the call of duty.


After the resignation of the former President, the current President and the Commander in Chief requested me to take the job as the Minister of Defence and National Security. I couldn't say NO, because the country was going through a difficult time and i believe I am well trained and equipped to take on this responsibility.


I want to assure the Maldivian public that I will give every bit of my time and effort to making this country and the Maldivies National Defence Force a better place for generations to come. Please send any comments this way.






Thank You