Former Presidents Mohamed Nasheed, Abdulla Yameen and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have said they will continue working together until the government responds to their demands regarding press freedom and freedom of expression.
The three leaders signed an agreement on Friday night to cooperate in defending media freedom and democratic rights, following their first joint meeting.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Nasheed said discussions between the three former presidents would continue in the future.
“We did not come out together in front of the people believing that our governments were the most perfect governments,” Nasheed said.
“But that is not a reason not to work for the rights of the people and the rights of the press in accordance with democratic principles.”
Yameen said the current political climate required collective action against the government.
“This government is now showing the characteristics of a dictatorship, so the three Presidents drew a line and agreed to work together,” he said.
“We have some responsibility when the country’s stress level is so high. So we believed we had to come out with the people.”
“We are doing things in a strong manner and we will not back down. That is the responsibility of the three of us,” Yameen added.
He said the joint effort would continue until President Dr Mohamed Muizzu responded to their concerns.
“We will continue our work until President Muizzu listens,” Yameen said.
“We will continue to make our demands peacefully and very strongly.”
Yameen acknowledged that the three leaders held differing political views, but said they were united in opposing restrictions on press freedom.
“We are not preparing a presidential manifesto but how to free society from the current bondage. There is no difference in our opinion on that,” he said.
Solih said the alliance had been formed in response to the current situation in the country.
“The most important thing is the obstacles to freedom of expression and press that are there to hold the government accountable,” he said.
“So we agreed to do everything we can with the people to address these issues.”
Solih said discussions had not yet focused on elections or politics, though there had been conversations on the need for constitutional reform.
He added that a team of experts from all three former Presidents would be appointed to plan future action. According to Solih, any proposals agreed upon would later be taken to the Maldivian Democratic party (MDP) and People's National Front (PNF) for consideration through party mechanisms.
