Major changes following Nasheed-Solih meeting: Fayyaz

Former Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail stated last night that with former President Nasheed (who stepped away for two years due to political differences) and former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) meeting for the first time in two years and with them announcing that they will be working together, it will bring about major political changes.

This is the first time the two have met after their political conflict in 2023 during the Presidential Election. They met at the MDP headquarters yesterday.

Fayyaz, who worked to bring the two together in recent days, told Mihaaru News that there would be major internal changes in the MDP from yesterday onward. Fayyaz also told Mihaaru News that there is hope even to those who are not MDP members but advocate reform.

"The announcement that they would be working together is a heavy weight off of the shoulders of MDP members and that it brings hope. Both of them coming together to address the public via the press is evidence that MDP will move forward in a positive direction," said Fayyaz.

After having served as MDP's Chairperson for two year's Fayyaz resigned from the post on 23rd November, citing the party’s ongoing inability to bridge tensions between Nasheed and Solih. During the MDP's National Assembly the night he had resigned, Fayyaz's resignation letter highlighted his many attempts in trying to bring Nasheed and Solih back to political harmony.

Fayyaz said he no longer believed the party could move forward “by trying to compensate for the pain suffered in the past.” The party’s future, he said, must be “united.”

As per Fayyaz, those who should work to rid of MDP's internal "unrest" or to change their mindset are to be the party's leadership and National Council members.

With Nasheed and Solih's meeting, Fayyaz stated that this is a huge step forward for his efforts over the last two and a half years. He also stated that this will especially ease the minds of MDP members who were experiencing deep sadness.

"This has happened as we were experiencing a deep sadness. And so, this is a hopeful day. This brings about ease in regards to the work we are to do to not bring the country to its knees while keeping to the principles that members believe in," said Fayyaz.

Fayyaz said that all members of the MDP wish to work "together", with the first meeting of Nasheed and Solih seeing smiles of joy. He also said that even though there are obstacles regarding future elections, the upcoming Local Council Elections will see favorable results.

Fayyaz has expressed interest in running for the 2028 Presidential Election under the MDP ticket, with this interest still being present with Nasheed and Solih's meeting. However, he said that MDP holds precedence. 

Nasheed and Solih reuniting in front of the media brings assurance that the differences of opinion that occurred between them would be set aside so that they can work together in order to strengthen MDP's operations.

"All the other parties that registered at the same time as MDP have been disbanded. But MDP has remained. The reason why is because of the party's internal arrangements," said Nasheed.