Report links India to alleged Maldivian opposition plot to oust President Muizzu
The Maldivian officials quoted in the report suggest that the USD 6 million required to bribe MPs and officials would have been sought from India.
WORLD
A recent report has surfaced, alleging that opposition politicians in the Maldives attempted to impeach President Mohamed Muizzu earlier this year, seeking USD 6 million from India to bribe MPs and enlist criminal gangs. The Washington Post report, published on December 30, 2024, details a covert plan by the Maldivian opposition to secure the votes necessary to impeach Muizzu.
According to an internal document titled Democratic Renewal Initiative, the plot involved bribing up to 40 members of the Maldivian Parliament, including those from Muizzu’s own party, the People’s National Congress (PNC). The document further reveals plans to pay off senior military and police officials and recruit three influential criminal gangs to support the impeachment.
The report claims that discussions began by January 2024 with individuals linked to India's intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), exploring the possibility of removing Muizzu from office. However, despite months of covert talks, the plan ultimately failed to gain enough parliamentary support to move forward.
The Maldivian officials quoted in the report suggest that the USD 6 million required to bribe MPs and officials would have been sought from India. However, the report does not provide clarity on whether the Indian government officially backed or approved the plot.
Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed denied any knowledge of such a conspiracy and emphasized that India had never interfered with Maldivian political affairs. Nasheed also tweeted that India’s support for the Maldives' democracy has always been unwavering.
Muizzu, who is seen as a pro-China leader, won the 2024 parliamentary elections with an overwhelming majority, securing 66 out of 86 seats. Despite early tensions with India, particularly surrounding his "India Out" campaign, Muizzu’s recent visit to India in October marked a shift towards reconciliation, with both nations reaffirming the importance of their bilateral ties.