Nasheed announces hiatus from political work

Former president Mohamed Nasheed who guided Maldives to modern democracy has announced his decision to take a hiatus from political works.

Nasheed, in a statement on Tuesday, underscored that he had been active in various political works for years on end during which he had received assistance from a number of people. He went on to describe his opponents and people who harass and mock him as individuals who have contributed to his political work.

Therewith, he extended gratitude to all those individuals.

“The purpose of the statement I am writing today is to convey my hiatus from political work after years on end. On this note, I also announce I will not be contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections,” the statement read.

Nasheed cited his most significant political work as shaping a multi-party system – while ensuring Maldives is a nation where the values of the Islamic religion are upheld, where human rights are respected, and where the freedom of citizens’ “tongues and pens” are guaranteed.

“As I believe, these things have now been ingrained more than before,” he added.

In his statement, Nasheed also underscored that he had faced violence, sadness, and loneliness in the pursuit of his political works, particularly stressing the fact that he had detention in prison various times, and in this trajectory, violence in prison.

He further added the IED attack which endangered his life on May 6, 2021; a conspiracy aimed at assassinating him.

“Despite these things, I have also experienced a lot of happiness and contentedness during this work. Every trap that was laid on my head had turned into a flower garland. For this, I am extremely indebted to the Almighty and express my gratitude,” he said.

Nasheed said he had served the people to his best capacity during his time as the Maldivian president and the speaker of the parliament. He cited his most important undertakings during his time as the president as establishing a comprehensive social protection system and taxation system.

He said those two goals have been somewhat achieved.

He also touched on the vulnerability of Maldives environmentally, stating his sorrow over damage to the environment in the name of the development; something he expressed hope of seeing changed.

Nasheed then went onto announce his agreement to serve as the secretary general of Climate Vulnerable Formation (CVF), an organization formed by Maldives and 11 other climate-vulnerable nations in 2008. He said he can continue to serve the Maldives in his capacity as the secretary general, adding he is set to officially assume responsibilities of the post in January.

Nasheed, who entered politics through journalism. first became a member of the parliament in 1999, Because of his reformative works, he had been jailed during former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom’s administration various times.

In 2005, Nasheed formed MDP, and came into power through a coalition two years later. However, he tendered his resignation before the conclusion of his term after the coalition dissolved and political unrest drove the nation to civil unrest.

He unsuccessfully contested 2013’s presidential election.

In 2015, he was found guilty of terrorism in connection to the jailing of Criminal Court’s chief judge Abdulla Mohamed (Abdulla Gaaze) during his administration and sentenced to 13 years in prison.

While serving the sentence – Nasheed traveled overseas in 2015 for medical purposes following which he commenced a period of self-exile. He only returned to the Maldives following the election of former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who had been MDP’s candidate, endorsed by Nasheed.

Nasheed contested the 2019's parliamentary election in which he secured the Central Mahchangolhi seat, and was later elected the speaker.

Disagreements arose between Nasheed and Solih regarding the system of governance which divided MDP into two facts. MDP’s primary for this year’s election was contested by Nasheed and Solih, with the latter going on to win the primary.

The conflict within the party boiled over ahead of the presidential election following which supporters of Naheed commenced efforts to form a new party. Nasheed left MDP on June 21 after the new party, The Democrats, was formed.

The Democrats contested the presidential election unsuccessfully, only securing seven percent of the votes in the first round.

After the presidential elections – MDP strengthened its efforts to dismiss Nasheed as parliament speaker. He tendered his resignation as speaker on November 13th, after the Supreme Court ruled his no-confidence motion had been stalled at the parliament unconstitutionally.