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Photo caption: Members of the MDP National Council attend a meeting. Photo: MDP

MALE’, Maldives: The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will hold an emergency National Council meeting on Sunday to determine its official position on the government’s decision to award the Rasmale’ development project to UAE-based developer Eagle Hills.

The meeting, scheduled for 8:30 p.m., was requested by more than 60 National Council members amid growing disagreement within the party over the project. Council members also held informal discussions on the issue last Friday.

Disagreement grows within MDP

MDP Chairperson and former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that opening the Maldives to a residency programme is reasonable in principle. However, he has questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the Eagle Hills contract and urged the government to submit the agreement to Parliament without delay.

Nasheed also referred to a 2023 incident in which a party member was removed after speaking against party policy, in remarks directed at members opposing the project.

Several MDP members and some figures within the party’s leadership have nevertheless raised objections to the development. Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has questioned the arrangement, saying it would not have been permitted under an MDP-led government.

Members of the party’s National Council have also expressed opposition in the council’s WhatsApp group, arguing that the MDP should not tolerate such projects and should actively work against them.

Party demands details of agreement

In an earlier statement, the MDP called on the government to disclose the full details of the Rasmale’ agreement, citing inconsistencies between information released by the government and Eagle Hills.

The party has also argued that the government cannot introduce a policy that permits foreign ownership of Maldivian land. While maintaining that it welcomes foreign investment in principle, the MDP has stressed the need for transparency over the terms of the agreement.

Sunday’s National Council meeting is expected to establish the party’s formal position on the project as differences over the development continue within the opposition.