Representatives appointed by three presidents to hold first meeting on Monday

A six-member committee has been established representing three former presidents: Mohamed Nasheed, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, and Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Representing President Nasheed on this committee are the former Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Eva Abdulla, and the former Chairperson of the MDP, Fayyaz Ismail.

The two members representing President Solih on the committee are Ahmed Saleem (Salle), the former Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, and Mohamed Rasheed Hussain (Bigey), the Member of Parliament for the Alifushi constituency.

In addition, President Yameen's representatives on the committee include Ismail Zariyand, who recently contested the Male' City mayoral election, and former Minister Mohamed Maleeh.

The committee, established following consultations between the three former presidents, is scheduled to hold its inaugural meeting this Monday. The committee’s primary mandate is to formulate a strategic roadmap for the joint activities spearheaded by the three leaders. This initiative marks a collaborative effort by the three former presidents to form a united front against the administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The three former presidents met last Friday night to discuss forming a united front against the government. Following their meeting, the leaders held a joint press conference and issued a formal resolution declaring their intent to work together in opposition. This marks the first time in Maldivian history that three former presidents have aligned to work as a single political unit.

Following their meeting on Friday night, the three presidents took to the streets to join their supporters. However, police intervened and used force to obstruct all three leaders.

In a joint statement, the three former presidents asserted that President Muizzu’s administration has blatantly infringed upon the fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens by the Constitution and is actively exerting influence over the judiciary. They further highlighted that the government has undermined the authority of the Parliament and compromised the independence of state institutions.

The statement further highlighted the suppression of press freedom, noting that journalists are being obstructed and even imprisoned. It also pointed out the deteriorating living standards of the public, characterized by a weakening economy and a sharp surge in the cost of living. The statement added that despite these dire circumstances, government wasteful spending remains at an all-time high.

Furthermore, the statement highlighted that numerous irregularities have taken root within the administration, noting that the government has failed to rectify these issues. It further noted a loss of public confidence in the government’s ability to safeguard public funds and assets. The statement also warned that the people’s power is being undermined, and the democratic principles that Maldivians have spent years striving for are being systematically eroded.

The statement confirmed that the three presidents have agreed to work together to restore the country to the right path. Furthermore, the government has been urged to release journalists currently in detention and to cease the unlawful prosecution of members of the press.