Members appointed to three presidents’ committee

Members were appointed on Sunday to a committee set up by former presidents Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Mohamed Nasheed and Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who have agreed to set aside their political differences and rise against the incumbent administration’s alleged attempts to curtail press freedom.

Solih and Nasheed, both of whom are from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), and Yameen, who leads the People’s National Front (PNF), have appointed two members each to the committee, which they say is tasked with discussing matters of national importance.

Nasheed appointed Eva Abdulla, the former deputy speaker of Parliament, and Fayyaz Ismail, who served as economic minister during Solih’s administration, and also as chairperson of the MDP.

Meanwhile, Solih appointed Ahmed Saleem (Salle), the former deputy speaker of Parliament, and Mohamed Rasheed Hussain (Bigey), who previously served as the MDP’s parliamentary group leader and currently serves as a member of the party’s national council.

Yameen appointed former Mohamed Maleeh Jamal, who served as technology minister during his administration, and Ismail Zariyand, a footballer-turned-politician who recently ran for Male’ City mayorship with his endorsement.

All six committee members are seasoned politicians, well-versed in the affairs of their parties as well as the factions within their parties.

The committee is expected to conduct its work at direct instructions from the three former Maldivian leaders.

The committee is set to convene for its first meeting on Monday. However, the agenda for the meeting has not been disclosed.

Solih, Nasheed and Yameen, once the greatest of political rivals, state that they decided to set aside their differences and form an alliance because they have had enough of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration.