Former President Mohamed Nasheed, who recently resigned from the post of Parliament Speaker, has announced a temporary retirement from politics.
Nasheed made the announcement at a time when his popularity had begun to dwindle. He had been one of the most influential political figures in Maldives.
Earlier this year, Nasheed faced a major defeat when he lost the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) presidential ticket in the party primary.
He later joined the Democrats formed by his supporters who had left MDP to field a separate candidate in the presidential election.
Nasheed did not contest in the election, but his Democrats' candidate Ilyas Labeeb came third. He also failed in a bid to introduce a parliamentary system.
He resisted an impeachment motion for weeks before resigning from the post of Speaker a few days before the new government was sworn in.
However, he is still the MP for Mahchangolhi Medhu. His term ends in May 2024.
In a statement issued Tuesday night, Nasheed said he intends to serve as the Secretary-General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) starting in January.
CVF is an international organization established in 2009 under Nasheed's leadership when he was the Maldives' President.
At that time, the group had 10 member countries. The CVF currently has 68 member countries, including countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific.
“I believe that while working at this organization, I will be able to serve Maldives immensely,” Nasheed's statement read.
Nasheed said he worked hard to facilitate a multi-party system of government and to promote the noble principles of Islam, uphold human rights and freedom of expression.
"In my political career, I have experienced extreme torture, sadness and loneliness. I have suffered prison torture and several imprisonments. I was forced to stay away from my family and my personal life has been ruined."
However, Nasheed said he had found great joy and satisfaction in this work and expressed gratitude.
"I hope that future generations will hold the Maldives government and its leaders accountable," he said.
