Colonel Abdulla Ibrahim, the Commandant of the Presidential Guard in the Maldives, has been suspended as the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) investigates the obstruction of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s motorcade during a protest on Monday night.
The opposition coalition supporters were protesting outside their office in Boduthakurufaanu Magu, calling for the release of their jailed leader, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom. The President’s motorcade was traveling along Boduthakurufaanu Magu following a function at Hulhumale’ Umar Zahir Building when it was blocked by the protesters. The motorcade had to turn back as it could not move forward along the road.
The MNDF has formed a special committee to investigate the incident. Defense Minister Maria Ahmed Didi formed the committee in consultation with the MNDF leadership. According to MNDF rules and regulations, Colonel Abdulla Ibrahim has been suspended from his post while the investigation is ongoing.
The incident has raised concerns about the security of the President, as some people have expressed their concerns on social media that the security forces failed to maintain security. Despite the police being present in front of the PPM office, the President’s motorcade was easily intercepted.
