MDP rises against repression

Tensions have erupted as police forces abruptly moved to block the “Lootuvaifi, Lootuvaifi!” protest march, just moments after participants began pouring out of Artificial Beach.

Although earlier indications from authorities suggested the march would be permitted, the mood on the ground shifted fast. As soon as protesters hit the streets, police began obstructing their path, triggering a dramatic and chaotic escalation in the region.

What began as a peaceful rally is now turning into a high-stakes standoff between a defiant opposition movement and a state apparatus determined to shut it down.

Participants of the “Lootuvaifi, Lootuvaifi!” movement have now taken to the streets of Malé City, transitioning from rally to protest march with official police permission secured.

The crowd, energized and defiant, is moving through the city, taking their message of resistance beyond Artificial Beach and directly into the capital’s streets.

At the height of the rally, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s Matey has issued a powerful set of demands to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, calling for the immediate reversal of authoritarian policies and a halt to the economic and democratic backsliding under his administration.

Matey's key demands:

Reverse the constitutional amendment that centralized state power and stripped fundamental rights from the people.

Stop the looting of public funds through state-owned enterprises (SOEs) disguised as project implementation and pay what’s owed to private companies within five weeks.

Restore the decentralized governance system and end the systematic dismantling of island-level power.

Repeal repressive laws that restrict freedom of expression and suppress the independent media.

Framing the protest not only as a response to injustice but a roadmap for recovery, the MDP is drawing a clear line in the sand, demanding immediate course correction or greater resistance to come.

Speaking at the MDP’s mass rally at Artificial Beach, MP for South Galolhu constituency Meekail Ahmed Naseem declared that the gathering marks the beginning of a movement to remove what he called a tyrannical ruler currently in power.

Framing the protest as more than just a demonstration, Meekail positioned it as the first step in a nationwide pushback against authoritarianism, a show of defiance aimed squarely at President Muizzu’s administration.

Addressing the crowd at the ongoing rally, senior MDP figure Abdulla Shahid declared that the Maldivian Democratic Party remains the driving force of reform in the country, a party unafraid to raise its voice in defense of the people.

He reminded supporters that it was the MDP that brought transformative change to the Maldives through peaceful political struggle. Now, he said, the party stands firm once again, refusing to watch silently as those hard-won reforms are dismantled. Shahid emphasized that the MDP will continue to speak truth to power and make every sacrifice necessary to protect the nation’s democratic future.

The crowd gathered for the Maldivian Democratic Party’s “Lootuvaifi, Lootuvaifi!” rally has now surpassed the turnout at Wednesday night’s ruling PNC meeting, a gathering reportedly filled with forcibly brought attendees, including government employees.

In contrast, the MDP rally has drawn thousands from across the atolls, with supporters flooding into Malé by sea and air. As the start of the protest draws closer, the government has begun mobilizing off-duty military and police personnel, signaling growing concern over the scale and energy of the opposition's show of force.

Security forces are stepping up activity in Malé, with police and military personnel now visibly active around Republic Square and Orchid Magu. The increased presence comes as the MDP’s mass protest continues to gather momentum nearby.

The protest is in full swing as chants of “Lootuvaifi, Lootuvaifi!” ring out across a completely packed Artificial Beach. The MDP’s rally has drawn a massive crowd, and people are still pouring into the area as momentum continues to build.

An MNDF drone has been visibly circling near Malé for several hours, coinciding with the opposition MDP’s massive “Lootuvaifi, Lootuvaifi!” protest. The extended presence of the drone has raised eyebrows, with many viewing it as a clear show of surveillance during one of the largest political gatherings in recent years.

Momentum is building as people begin arriving at Artificial Beach for the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) much-anticipated rally, set to begin at 8:30pm.

Supporters from across the atolls have converged on Malé, with a strong turnout expected as the capital braces for one of the largest opposition demonstrations in recent years.

The Malé City Council has issued a strong statement calling on the government and security forces to immediately cease all forms of intimidation and defamation linked to the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) protest.

Reaffirming that freedom of expression, the right to protest, and peaceful political participation are fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution, the council expressed concern over the increasingly coercive environment surrounding the rally.

The statement highlights that senior figures within the ruling party have been making public remarks designed to instill fear and discourage participation, creating a climate of unease across the city. It further notes that police warnings are being issued, and employees of state-owned enterprises are reportedly being instructed not to attend the gathering, actions the council views as deliberate efforts to suppress dissent.

As tensions mount in Malé, the City Council’s intervention marks a rare rebuke of state tactics, underscoring the growing alarm over the erosion of democratic freedoms in the country.

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has begun flying drones over Malé coinciding with the mass protest being held by the Maldivian Democratic Party at the Artificial Beach on Friday night.

The military has not stated the reason for flying the MNDF drone over Malé as the opposition protest is about to begin.

According to tracking sites, a military drone that took off from the drone base at Maafaru Airport this evening is currently flying over Malé.

In connection with the upcoming protest, the MDP has shared a contact number for those in need of legal assistance.

The MDP stated that assistance can be requested by calling the phone number 7341637, as well as through Viber, WhatsApp, and Telegram.

Phone number: 7341637

As the time approaches for the gathering, police presence and activity near the Artificial Beach area is steadily increasing.

While the MDP's large gathering is set to begin at 8:30pm, people from various islands in the atolls are converging in the capital.

Further, the police have decided to close various areas of the capital tonight for a "police operation." Although they suddenly announced that public areas would be closed for a police operation, they did not specify which areas would be closed or the times of closure.

As the police prepare for the large protest that MDP is holding in Malé on Friday night, the commander of the Malé Area, Assistant Commissioner of Police Asim Abdulla, has been removed from his position and a new person has been appointed.

ACP Abdulla Shareef has been appointed as the new head of Malé Police.

The police have not yet officially announced this change.

Ibrahim Waheed, Deputy Chairperson of MDP, has stated that the traffic restrictions and road closures related to the gathering are being implemented contrary to the agreement made with the MDP.

In a post on 'X', he said, "In the meeting with the police, they assured us that they would not obstruct anyone coming to Artificial Beach for tonight's gathering. Now, the police are violating the agreement they made."

Councilor Saif Fathih of the North Galolhu constituency of the capital city has stated that peaceful political activity is a fundamental right, and that the streets and public spaces of the capital are open for such activities.

In a post on 'X', he said that the continuous threats from ruling party leaders and security forces are an obstruction to this right. As a council member, he has called for an end to these threats and warnings.

Preparations began at the Artificial Beach region for the protest on Friday evening. A large number of people have been actively working in the area throughout Thursday night and continue to do so at this moment

People continue to gather in Malé City via launches and air routes for the big rally organized by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).