Maumoon cancels trip over plans to "unseat" him

Leader of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has cancelled his previously scheduled trip to Egypt to give more time to resolving conflicts that have escalated within the party.

Deputy Secretary-General of PPM, Abdul Aleem said that Maumoon had decided to cancel his trip and remain in Maldives due to an internal movement in violation of PPM’s Constitution and democratic values to unseat the leader of the party and seize the rights of the general members of the party.

Divides formed within PPM over differences between Maumoon and his half-brother – the current Maldivian President, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom – who came to power on PPM ticket.

Most of the PPM members – especially senior officials – have aligned themselves with either Maumoon or Yameen.

Maumoon brought the PPM office under his direct control after open rebellion by Yameen loyalists, who continue to beseech other party members not to follow orders issued by the office.

Yameen loyalists have asked PPM members not to follow the PPM office’s directive on the upcoming Local Elections, and to follow the directives of Chairman of PPM Elections Committee, Deputy Leader of PPM, Abdul Raheem Abdulla.