A lawyer has submitted a case at the Supreme Court of the Maldives seeking to remove Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed for representing neighbouring Sri Lanka at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
The constitutional case was filed by Ahmed Thalib after Speaker Nasheed attended the ongoing COP27 summit as part of the national delegation of Sri Lanka. He claimed the action was contrary to the duties and responsibilities of a parliamentarian as stipulated in the constitution. He cited Article 75 of the constitution which states parliamentarians shall act in the interests and welfare of the government and the people of the Maldives. He also noted it is a violation of the oath taken when assuming office as a parliamentarian.
The Maldivian delegation to COP27 is led by Vice President Faisal Naseem. Meanwhile, Speaker Nasheed attended the conference as the International Climate Advisor to Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He was appointed to the post in October this year.
The participation of Nasheed in COP27 as part of the Sri Lankan delegation has also sparked concerns among the public. Many also raised concerns as to how Nasheed would act in the event of a difference of opinion between the Maldives and Sri Lanka during the summit.
COP27 is a significant occasion for the Maldives and a chance to address the country's aims for sustainable development on a global level.