Solih warns new administration poses greater ‘danger’ than Yameen’s

Former Maldivian leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih says that the administration of his predecessor, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, had been a “brutal and frightening” five years, warning that the incumbent administration poses an even greater danger.

He made the remark while attending a campaign rally in Sh. Maaungoodhoo on Saturday morning, for Ilham Ahmed, who is contesting for the Funadhoo parliamentary seat on behalf of the main opposition MDP.

Solih, who retained the position of party advisor after his 2023 re-election defeat, said that Ilham was among those who worked in the frontlines to undo the things that were happening during Yameen’s administration.

He said that while the then-opposition had been successful in bringing Yameen’s presidency to an end in 2018, Maldives was back in the same situation, once more.

He warned that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration poses an even greater danger, if given the chance.

“You need to think deep about this. I have been travelling across the Maldives, and the people from each island I have visited are saying that they have made a mistake and that they need to correct it,” he said.

Solih accused the incumbent administration of multiple attempts to mislead the people.

He alleged that the administration has gone back on its electoral pledge and halted developmental projects in the islands.

‘It’s clear now that those promises were just excuses to win the election,” he said.

Solih said that while the administration cited budgetary constraints as the reason for halting the projects, it does not stop it from doing what it wants.

“They are able to create jobs. As far as I know, political appointees are closing on 1,500 now. This is not something any past administration has done,” he said.

As Solih joins rallies across the Maldives to garner support for MDP’s candidates in the April 21 elections, President Muizzu, too, is on a nationwide tour to meet council officials.