News Desk
MALE’, Maldives — The Maldives Democratic Party (MDP), the country’s main opposition, announced Wednesday its willingness to welcome back former members who have not acted against its interests, a move that could reshape the political landscape ahead of the next presidential election. The decision, however, has sparked debate within the party, with some questioning whether reunification will bring vigor or revive old tensions.
The MDP Parliamentary Group stated that individuals who have not harmed the party should be allowed to rejoin. Mauroof Zakir, a parliamentarian from Kendoo constituency, emphasized that the party would open its doors to those who respect its rules and values. “We would welcome anyone who has not done things harmful to the party,” Zakir said, though he clarified that no formal discussions on reintegration had occurred within the group.
The announcement follows years of internal divisions that intensified before the 2023 presidential election. Tensions erupted when former President Mohamed Nasheed, a towering MDP figure, clashed with then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Nasheed accused Solih’s administration of corruption, leading to a bitter split. Nasheed’s supporters broke away to form the Democrats, a rival party, just before the election.
Nasheed, who lost the MDP’s 2023 presidential primary before leaving the party, has since softened his stance. After President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu’s election, Nasheed called for cooperation between the Democrats and the MDP, arguing that unity is vital to challenge the current government. On Wednesday, the Democrats announced their decision to rejoin the MDP, a move that could strengthen the opposition.
Abdulla Shahid, the MDP’s president, endorsed the Democrats’ return in a statement on X. “We must not be slaves of the past,” Shahid wrote. “The only political party with a future in Maldives is the MDP. I urge members of other parties and all those eager to put the country on the right track to join us.”
Yet, the prospect of reconciliation has met resistance. Roxeina, a former MP aligned with a pro-Solih faction, expressed skepticism about Nasheed’s motives. Campaigning for Solih in 2023 alongside her husband, she wrote in a post, “I can’t trust him. He has proven that his only interest in this party is when he is the leader and has full control.” Roxeina, tied to the party’s old guard, warned that Nasheed’s return could reignite conflicts and stifle the new energy the MDP needs to rebuild.
A hardcore MDP activist, speaking anonymously, highlighted a broader concern. “Leadership is what MDP is all about, but a lack of it or too much of it is affecting us,” the activist said. “We need fresh voices to balance the old equation and bring vigor, not just the same leaders cycling back.”
The debate underscores the challenge facing the MDP: uniting a fractured base while injecting new dynamism. As the party navigates these tensions, its ability to integrate returning members without reigniting past rivalries will likely determine its strength in the next election.
