In the political landscape of the Maldives, a significant development has taken place as former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has made the decision to part ways with the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). The announcement, made last night by his lawyer and former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, has sent ripples of surprise through political circles.
Dr. Jameel revealed that the rationale behind Yameen’s decision to leave the PPM and create a new political entity stems from a perceived lack of loyalty within the party's leadership towards the former president. Furthermore, the party's senate members are allegedly not aligned with Yameen's stance, prompting him to take this unexpected step.
Former President Yameen is currently under house arrest, awaiting the appeal of his conviction on charges of money laundering and corruption from the previous year. His situation changed following the presidential election on September 30, 2023, which saw Dr. Mohamed Muizzu victorious. Since then, Yameen was moved from prison to house arrest.
The schism between Yameen and the newly elected President Muizzu appears to be widening. With the leadership of both the PPM and the PNC (Progressive National Coalition) showing strong support for President Muizzu, the political dynamics within the Maldives are poised for a significant shift.
This move by Yameen to establish a new party suggests an attempt to reassert his political influence and challenge the current administration. The full implications of this development remain to be seen as the political narrative of the Maldives continues to unfold.