Want Yameen's participation, can work together: Solih/Nasheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed and former President and MDP Advisor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) have said that they wish to work with former President Abdulla Yameen's input in order to solve the current major problems of the nation and that they believe that solutions can be found.

Nasheed and Solih, who were close associates, had a political conflict arise between the two and have met yesterday for the first time since Nasheed rejoined the party. At the press conference that was held, a journalist asked whether they would work together with Yameen.

Before the question was posed, Solih had stated that they would work together with former presidents in order to solve national issues.

Nasheed stated that MDP had worked together with former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and that there is no reason why it should not be possible with Yameen.

MDP had won the 2018 Presidential Election when Maumoon had formed a coalition with opposition parties.

"We wish to work together to facilitate finding a solution," said Solih.

"There is a lot of work to be done considering the state the nation is in. And so, we wish to have Yameen's participation in doing so."

MDP won the 2018 Presidential Election while running against Yameen as he had major accusations against him. This also includes allegations of fraud against MMPRC during Yameen's administration and the arrests of many political leaders which included Nasheed.

During Solih's administration, Yameen was charged with bribery and money laundering with an 11-year jail sentence being proven against him in 2022. However, due to Solih not succeeding in the 2023 Presidential Election, Yameen was switched to house arrest due to health reasons. Yameen was later freed by court order after the case was reviewed by the High Court in 2024.

Even though MDP wants to work together with Yameen, he has recently criticized MDP's policies quite heavily. During the series of rallies held at his household, Yameen has been saying that MDP needs to be held responsible for the economic decline of Maldives.

Yameen has said that MDP is a party that has claimed to hold onto its principles, with the party having been more of a dictatorship the two times they took office by interfering with the judicial system.

As per the accusations by Yameen, MDP are trying to take away the freedom of Maldives, create an opportunity for other religions aside from Islam and to give people freedom in living without any regulations or limits. He also stated that Maldivians would not agree to that, and that this can be seen by the laws and regulations that were created with citizens.

Yameen has said that his party PNF will run in the 2028 Presidential Election.