Yameen: Three ex-presidents setting aside differences for the sake of the nation

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, on Thursday night, emphasized that his decision to put aside longstanding personal and political rivalries to meet with two senior leaders of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is driven solely by the national interest.

The unprecedented political development follows the recent imprisonment of two journalists accused of violating a court order, a move that has triggered widespread public concern and intensified debate over press freedom in the Maldives.

Amid the growing tensions, former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail urged the country’s former leaders to set aside past divisions and unite in defense of the nation. In response to the appeal, the three former presidents are scheduled to convene tonight in what is expected to be a landmark political meeting.

Speaking at People’s National Front (PNF)’s serial townhall meetings on Thursday night, Yameen acknowledged that every administration has, in one way or another, faced criticism over issues related to press freedom, describing it as an enduring challenge of governance. However, he stressed the importance of examining how different governments have handled media independence and democratic rights.

Yameen also addressed remarks by Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu), who argued that the former leaders had long regarded one another as “main rivals” and had each played a role in the imprisonment of the others.

Responding to the criticism, Yameen stated that although he remained deeply aggrieved by his imprisonment during former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration, he is now willing to work alongside Solih in order to confront what he described as a far greater national concern.

He explained the reasoning behind the historic meeting.

“Despite the history of arrests and our deep-seated differences, we are setting them aside for the sake of the entire nation. The challenges and grievances the public is facing under the current leadership far outweigh the past conflicts that existed between these three presidents.”

Tonight’s meeting will mark the first formal discussions between Yameen and the two former MDP leaders. Given that the three figures remain among the most influential personalities in Maldivian politics, their emerging cooperation is widely being viewed as a historic and potentially transformative shift in the nation’s political landscape.