The two main opposition parties of the Maldives will boycott President Mohamed Muizzus address to parliament today, according to reports in the countrys media.The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats have not disclosed the purpose behind abstaining from Muizzus presidential statement. However, The Democrats said they would not attend due to the re-appointment of three cabinet ministers recently rejected by parliament.President Muizzu is scheduled to speak at 9am local time, as required by the constitution to update parliament on the state of the nation at the first session of the year.Opposition slams Muizzu governmentLast month, amid a diplomatic dispute with India, the two parties described India as the Maldives most long-standing ally.In a joint statement, they accused Muizzus administration of a stark pivot towards an anti-India stance that would be extremely detrimental to long-term development.Consecutive governments must be able to work with all development partners for the benefit of the Maldivian people, as the Maldives has traditionally done. Stability and security in the Indian Ocean is vital to the stability and security of the Maldives, the statement said.This came after the Maldivian government allowed a Chinese research vessel to dock at one of its ports, straining ties with India.Recently, the Maldives said India will withdraw all 80 of its soldiers stationed in the country by May.Indias foreign ministry said the two sides agreed on mutually workable solutions regarding the Indian helicopters providing humanitarian services to the islands.New Delhi has traditionally been the Maldives closest ally but ties have frayed since Muizzu was elected president last year.
