24 March, 2017, Male’: Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, former President Mohamed Nasheed, Hon. Qasim Ibrahim MP, and Sheikh Imran Abdulla agreed to work together, with the express intention of restoring Maldivian democracy, ensuring free and fair elections, and protecting Maldivians’ Constitutional rights.

President Gayoom is the president of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), President Nasheed is the president of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Hon. Qasim Ibrahim MP is the leader of Jumhooree Party (JP), and Sheikh Imran is the President of the Adhaalath Party (AP).

The declaration states that the four leaders and their parties will work together in order to:

• Safeguard the tenets of Islam, independence, sovereignty and nationalism;
• protect ownership of the land, sea and natural resources belonging to the Country;
• find a resolution to the political discord afflicting the Country;
• safeguard civil and political rights abrogated from citizens;
• ensure elections held in the Maldives are free and fair in which candidates of political parties choosing are allowed to contest;
• secure freedom for all individuals who have been arrested, under investigation, on trial, or convicted of politically motivated charges;
• prevent corruption and embezzlement within the Government;
• seek the restitution of transactions and properties unlawfully seized from citizens by the Government;
• and contribute to the cause of nation building and development of society and individuals effecting lasting peace of the Country.

Commenting on the declaration,

President of PPM, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said:

“We are working together on creating a genuine democratic environment where separation of powers is ensured, human rights respected, and transparency and accountability firmly established.”

President of MDP, Mohamed Nasheed said:

“Over the past decades, the Maldives has faced many challenges and experienced many things. Today, the need to find common ground has never been greater. We must bring the country back onto the democratic path, and we can only do that together.”

Leader of Jumhooree Party, Hon. Qasim Ibrahim said:

“I appeal to our colleagues in the parliament to help restore democracy through true separation of powers”

President of Adhaalath Party, Sheikh Imran Abdulla said:

“When division, mistrust and competitive politics are cast aside, and political parties of differing ideologies decide to work together, we understand the dire situation facing the country. People should take heart that there is no power capable of extinguishing the light of hope. Better times are ahead.”

The four leaders signed a declaration setting out a common political vision for the Maldives and agreeing to use their representation in parliament and in the political sphere to achieve the common objectives.

ENDS