Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi has inaugurated the military justice system at a special ceremony held at the headquarters of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Mariya said the military justice system will allow the military to uphold their national duty while being from political influence. She said the military had already been corrupted by political influence when President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was elected in 2018.
Minister Mariya said the political influence had resulted in officers being dismissed without cause and the military being used for political gain. She said the resulting discord within the military had also caused educated and experienced soldiers to leave, which was a loss to both the state and the citizens. However, Minister Mariya shed light on the successful efforts in the last three years to democratise and professionalise the MNDF, adding that the document on the military justice system was a major step forward for the military.
She expressed her appreciation for the team of lawyers from the MNDF for assisting in the formulation of the document.
The military justice system is a separate and distinct body of laws and procedures governing members of the armed forces. Legal issues unique to military justice include the preservation of good order and discipline, the legality of orders, and appropriate conduct for members of the military.