Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has announced his decision to form a new political party, Maldives Reform Movement (MRM).

The former president announced the decision at a press conference on Thursday.

Gayoom, who had previously created two political parties, told the press that if given the opportunity, he is willing to fill a position in the new political party.

The first political party formed under Gayoom’s leadership was Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) back during his tenure. Following disputes within the party, Gayoom left DRP and began work to form his second political party, now opposition Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM). Gayoom was stripped from his position as party leader following a dispute with his half-brother and then President Abdulla Yameen, following which his supporters broke away from PPM, forming the Maumoon Reform Movement (MRM).

At the conference, Gayoom’s supporters also stated that they will be running for the upcoming Parliamentary Election as independent candidates.