Three former Presidents—Mohamed Nasheed, Abdulla Yameen, and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih—held a joint press conference today, clarifying that their collective appearance was not an attempt to claim their respective administrations were flawless. Addressing the escalating challenges to press freedom, all three leaders acknowledged that every government faces issues and areas requiring reform.
Speaking at the briefing, former President Abdulla Yameen stated that the current state of affairs has regressed the nation by twenty years. Noting that he had been cleared of various charges by the courts, Yameen emphasized that journalists should find encouragement in seeing three former presidents unite in their defense. He further asserted that this is not the time to question their motives, as the overriding priority must be the protection of press freedom.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed remarked that it is disheartening to have to return to the streets to defend journalism as the country nears the twentieth anniversary of the "Green Constitution." While admitting that his own administration was not perfect, Nasheed described the current climate as a significant threat to the independence of the media.
The three leaders reached a consensus that safeguarding the fourth pillar of democracy—the press—must take precedence over debating the shortcomings of past administrations. President Yameen added that their unified stance is devoid of personal interest, driven solely by the objective of establishing an environment where journalists can work without fear or intimidation.
This meeting marks a historic milestone in Maldivian political history, as it is the first time three former presidents of differing political ideologies have shared a platform to advocate for the rights of the press. All three leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting all efforts necessary to ensure the protection of journalists' rights.
