Yameen’s indirect response: No need for panic over impeachment if there are no wrongdoings

Former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom states there is no need for President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to panic or be concerned over the possibility of impeachment if no wrongdoings have taken place.

Yameen, who is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence in connection not money laundering and bribery charges in home confinement, was yet again captured attending an event of the new political party he is forming, People’s National Front (PNF) on Thursday night, despite a ban in engaging in political activities. Although he did not speak at the podium, Yameen targeted questions at some individuals who spoke at the podium during which spoke regarding the acts of opposition parties in the parliament.

On this note, Yameen said he does not believe the president needs to “panic” just because opposition MDP and The Democrats have secured sufficient signatures to file an impeachment motion against him.

Underscoring that the constitution clearly stipulated the grounds under which a president can be impeached – Yameen stressed that there was no need for panic or concern that the president might be impeached if no wrongdoings have taken place.

“There are steps governing the impeachment of the president in the constitution and the parliament’s regulation. It is not something that can be achieved easily just like that because some people want to. [Impeachment] requires unlawful conduct from the president,” he said.

Yameen questioned whether the opposition’s actions warranted such panic even if the parliament’s majority is held by the opposition; an indirect criticism of the government.

Speaking further, Yameen said one becomes the president to serve the people, rather than holding into the post forever. He added that if a person is impeached unfairly, the love and support they have will increase by much more.

“If the president is unfairly impeached, that individual’s reputation before the people will increase. Furthermore, the cruelty of those who are cruel will be unveiled,” he said.

Yameen, who served as Maldivian leader from 2013-2018, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for money laundering and bribery charges in connection to the sale of V. Aarah on December 26, 2022.

He was transferred to home confinement a day after PPM-PNC coalition’s triumph in September’s presidential election. The terms of his home confinement as seriously eased later on.

He left PPM-PNC coalition a week after the administration took office following internal conflicts.

Since then, he has launched efforts to form a new political party, PNF, which has yet to file for registration.

Prior to this, Corrections has threatened to revoke existing easements if he continues to violate the terms of his home confinement. However, no action has been taken against the former president to date despite his continuous engagement in political activities following the warning.