Future generations will not forgive Yameen's return to power: Shahid

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid declared on Wednesday that future generations of Maldivians would not forgive current voters if they enabled former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to regain power.

In a tweet, the Foreign Minister equated returning political influence to the former president with disregarding all efforts made to bring an end to Yameen's presidency which he described as 'tyranny'.

The Foreign Minister tweeted these sentiments along with a photograph of Yameen speaking at a podium during a rally hosted by opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). The Dhivehi word for 'no' is clearly visible behind Yameen on what is presumably part of the stage backdrop.

Additionally, the Foreign Minister urged voters to cast their ballots for candidates backed by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) during the upcoming parliamentary election slated for April 6.

After the High court overturned his detainment sentence on March 28, Yameen has been making conference calls in order to campaign for contestants representing PPM and opposition coalition partner People's National Congress (PNC).

Jumhooree Party (JP), despite being a member of the ruling coalition, has endorsed candidates running for parliament on PPM and PNC's tickets. The opposition parties have also announced support for some of JP's candidates.

However, there is no official agreement between the three parties, and JP deputy leader Ameen Ibrahim recently stated that the party would continue to maintain its stance within the ruling coalition.

JP previously announced that disputes within the ruling coalition following MDP's decision to contest for all constituencies, in violation of a seat-sharing agreement, had prompted it to seek political support elsewhere.