Two former presidents, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Mohamed Nasheed, said on Wednesday they plan to consult former President Abdulla Yameen as part of efforts to hold the Muizzu government accountable. They made the comments at a press conference following a meeting at the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) office.
Solih said he intends to step up pressure on the government, adding that there are figures outside the MDP who share the same goal and that he would continue dialogue with them.
“We will continue to consult with them to hold this government accountable,” Solih said.
Nasheed supported Solih’s remarks. He recalled working with former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom against Yameen’s administration and said he is willing to explore similar cooperation with Yameen.
“We worked with President Maumoon, didn’t we?” Nasheed said. He added that he hopes to find a way to work with Yameen, saying the situation in the country requires joint action.
The comments came despite Yameen previously ruling out a political partnership with the MDP. Speaking on Raajje TV in November, Yameen said he did not trust the party and did not believe it worked in the interest of the country. He also said his ideology differed from the MDP’s.
Yameen said he was open to talks but would not formally join forces with the MDP, stating that agreements could be made on specific issues without forming a coalition. The People’s National Front (PNF) supported some MDP candidates in last year’s parliamentary elections because it did not field candidates in every constituency, although Yameen maintained that this was not a sign of partnership.
Solih and Nasheed announced on Wednesday, for the first time since their fallout in the 2023 election cycle, that they would work together. Both said their immediate priority is the upcoming local council elections, with broader political decisions to be considered later. They added that differences between them had not made cooperation impossible.
Their meeting on Wednesday was their first public engagement since Nasheed left the MDP in 2023. Nasheed rejoined the party six months ago at an event in Malé alongside several senior figures who had earlier formed The Democrats.
At the rally marking his return, Nasheed warned of rising debt and criticised the Muizzu government’s economic management. He said the MDP has the experience to restructure state finances and predicted a difficult election for the ruling coalition.
Solih and Nasheed have known each other for decades and worked together until their fallout last year. Their renewed cooperation signals an effort to rebuild the opposition as the country prepares for the next round of elections.