“Stand up or be silenced for decades”: MDP Chair warns of looming dictatorship under Pres. Muizzu

Chairperson of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Fayyaz Ismail has issued a stark warning ahead of the mass opposition rally scheduled to take place after sundown on Friday, stating that failure to rise in opposition now could pave the way for President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to cement a decades-long authoritarian rule.

Speaking on RaajjeTV's 'Fashaairu' morning talk show on Friday, Fayyaz accused the government of orchestrating a wide-scale campaign to suppress dissent, including attempts to intimidate citizens and disrupt opposition efforts. He stressed the urgency of public resistance, describing Friday’s protest as a pivotal moment in the country’s democratic journey.

According to Fayyaz, the current administration’s efforts to discourage participation reflect deeper attempts to silence the opposition. He warned that the Maldives faces the risk of sliding into a long-term dictatorship unless the public actively resists now. The ruling party’s grip on power, he claimed, could last 30 to 40 years if left unchallenged.

Positioning Friday’s protest as merely the first step, Fayyaz called on citizens to stay engaged in future demonstrations organized by MDP. Acknowledging the fear of political retaliation, including the potential loss of employment, he emphasized that such sacrifices may be necessary to defend democratic freedoms.

He cautioned that the erosion of opposition activities would mark a dangerous turning point, one where citizens not only lose their voice, but also their livelihoods.

As political tensions continue to escalate, Friday’s gathering is deemed by MDP as a critical stand against what it describes as an increasingly repressive regime. The outcome may set the tone for the country’s political future, and for the resistance determined to shape it.