Defence minister warns of plot to destabilise Maldives

The police and military have learned of a plot to incite unrest and destabilise the nation in the coming days, Defence Minister Adam Shareef Umar announced Saturday night.

“The Maldives National Defence Force and Maldives Police Service are together looking into this very closely,” he said in a Facebook post, urging the public report any information about dangers to national security.

Shareef refused to provide any information to the media, saying it could jeopardise the military operation.

The announcement has prompted widespread speculation on social media that the government is seeking a pretext to delay the September 23 presidential election. With the threat of targeted sanctions from the European Union looming, President Abdulla Yameen has yet to file his candidacy papers.

In November 2015, the MNDF’s discovery of a bomb in the capital, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, was greeted with similar scepticism and disbelief by the public.

Ministry of Defence announces ”reports of a plot to create disturbances” and orders MNDF and Police on high alert. With no sign of genuine support, President Yameen resorts to intimidation, threats, bribery and now rumours of plots, in order to disrupt the election.

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) August 4, 2018

Security forces announcement well planned to delay & disrupt election after polls show govt’s defeat. Only security threat is threat of defeat to YAG. Opposition’s unity has further shaken YAG’s confidence. Intl Community @EUCouncil @MEAIndia must not let him rob election.

— Mohamed Jameel Ahmed (@MJameelAhmed) August 4, 2018

We have seen MNDF staging several "incidents" over the last 5 years to justify declaration of state of emergency and other drastic security measures. Is this the beginning of a series of events to justify not holding presidential elections this year? https://t.co/orW7Mg3DPn

— Husnu Al Suood (@hsuood) August 4, 2018

50 days to voting day,with no sign of PresYameen submitting his candidature,amidst a growing opposition campaign, Minister of Defense announces “reports of plot to create unrest.”

Not via Ministry of Defense,but through the Minister’s private Facebook acc.

Curiouser & Curiouser pic.twitter.com/0lVn9IpAz7

— Eva Abdulla 🎈❓ (@evattey) August 4, 2018

What a joke @Adamshareefz as MOD using your own FB page to announce NS issues! If u cognize such a threat u better convene National Security Council & inform public in a more professional manner re such. u r not a CEO of a company but MOD! Please don’t terrify public! @ibusolih pic.twitter.com/3iF3vGnQjw

— Ibrahim M Didi (@ibrahimmdidi) August 4, 2018

pic.twitter.com/ulnlphpEIy

— Niyaz Ibrahim (@niyaz_ibrahim) August 4, 2018