Three presidents: Enough is enough, will not back down!

Setting aside longstanding political differences, former presidents Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Mohamed Nasheed, and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have declared their firm commitment to working together to restore press freedom in the Maldives.

Following a landmark meeting convened in opposition to the current administration on Friday night, the three former presidents addressed the media and formally announced their decision to work together. They stressed that their joint efforts would not be limited by any specific timeframe and would continue until President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu addresses their concerns.

As an immediate priority, the three leaders called for the “immediate” release of the imprisoned journalists and the withdrawal of all legal proceedings against them.

Speaking at the press conference, Yameen expressed their firm position, citing they would pursue the matter without backing down.

“Our objective is to proceed without backing down; we will continue these efforts until [President] Muizzu listens and takes the necessary action,” Yameen declared.

Yameen also pointed to the country’s worsening economic conditions and the hardships currently faced by the public. He said that, during such challenging times, guiding the government back onto the proper course is a national responsibility shared by both political leaders and journalists. He further argued that using the judicial system to intimidate the media or silence journalists has no place in a democratic society.

He added that independent journalism remains one of the most important safeguards in ensuring the state operates within proper democratic boundaries, warning that any attempt to curtail press freedom poses a direct threat to the nation’s future.

The meeting marked the first time Yameen has engaged in formal discussions with the two former MDP presidents. Given that the three men remain among the country’s most influential political figures, their alliance is widely viewed as a major turning point in Maldivian politics.

However, such political realignments are not entirely unprecedented in the Maldives, where opposition figures have historically united against incumbent administrations. Similar broad coalitions were previously formed against Nasheed’s administration as well as against Yameen’s own administration, which notably included his half-brother, former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.