Yameen Announces Bid to Contest 2028 Maldivian Presidential Election

Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has announced his intention to contest the 2028 presidential election, with a focus on recovering maritime territory he claims the Maldives lost. 

He also outlined his priorities of expelling Indian troops from the country and improving the nation’s economy. In an exclusive interview with RaajjeTV, Yameen expressed uncertainty about his ability to stand for election, citing his previous legal battles. 

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ކުރިއަށް އޮތް ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބުގައި ވާދަކުރައްވާނަންތޯ؟ | #RaeesYameenExclusive pic.twitter.com/Yf2VHMvv16— RaajjeTV (@Raajje_tv) November 7, 2024

He referenced the case of former Vice President Adeeb, who was facing lengthy prison sentences, and compared it to his own extended time in detention. Despite this, Yameen stated that, if he remains free, he would indeed seek to run for office in 2028.

Yameen outlined three main objectives for his potential presidential campaign. The first is to recover maritime areas allegedly lost to Mauritius, including the disputed Peros Banhos atoll in the Chagos Archipelago, known to Maldivians as Foalhavahi. His second goal is to expel Indian military personnel from the Maldives, claiming that, despite the current government’s assertion that Indian troops have been replaced by civilians, he believes military operations are still ongoing. 

Yameen’s third goal is to improve the country’s economy, which he believes is struggling under the current administration. He criticised the incumbent government for failing to meet the expectations of the people, who he claimed are disillusioned with the state of affairs. 

Elected as president in 2013 as part of a coalition, Yameen lost his re-election bid in 2018 after political opponents formed a coalition with the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). He was disqualified from running in the 2023 election due to a conviction for money laundering and bribery related to the sale of Vaavu Aarah. 

Although he initially called for a boycott of the election, he later endorsed President Mohamed Muizzu, who emerged as the PPM-PNC coalition’s candidate and won the election. Since Muizzu took office, Yameen has broken away from the ruling coalition to establish a separate party named the People’s National Front and has been openly criticising the Muizzu administration’s policies.