News Desk
The three former presidents who signed a cooperation agreement last week have appointed delegates to take their joint agenda to their respective parties and begin formalising a strategy for working together.
Mohamed Nasheed’s representatives are former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail and former Deputy Speaker Eva Abdullah. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s delegates are former Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Salim and former Alifushi MP Mohamed Rasheed Hussain, known as Bigey. Abdulla Yameen’s delegation comprises Zariyand, who contested the Male’ mayoral race, and former Sports Minister Maleeh Jamal.
The delegates held their first meeting at Manhattan Business Hotel, after which Fayyaz told reporters the session focused on how to bring the issues the three presidents have agreed on back to their respective parties and coordinate next steps.
The alliance was formalised last Thursday when the three signed a joint statement calling for the release of two Adhadhu journalists jailed for violating a Criminal Court gag order, an end to their trial, and the release of protesters arrested during demonstrations in their support.
The agreement goes further than the press freedom issue. It accuses the current government of violating constitutional rights, influencing the courts, undermining parliament and independent institutions, restricting the press, worsening living conditions and weakening the economy. It says the rules of democracy the Maldivian people worked for over many years have been erased, and that the three have agreed to work together to put the country back on track.
Speaking after the signing, Yameen said professionals from all three camps would develop strategies and set timelines for the joint work. But he made clear he was not waiting for that process to conclude before acting. He said he would continue challenging the government through protests and demonstrations in the meantime.
The appointment of delegates and the start of formal party-level discussions suggests the alliance is moving beyond a symbolic statement, though how far three presidents with very different histories and ambitions can align in practice remains to be seen.
