Nasheed: Ex-presidents’ alliance isn’t on hold, but it isn’t moving forward speedily either

Former President Mohamed Nasheed insisted on Sunday that work of the United Democratic Front (UDF), an alliance he has formed with former Maldivian leaders Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, isn’t on hold, but admitted that it isn’t “moving forward speedily” either.

Nasheed and Solih, both of whom belong to the MDP, and Yameen, who runs the People’s National Front (PNF), agreed to form an unexpected alliance in May, to work against President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration. They named their coalition the United Democratic Front (UDF).

They also set up a six-member steering committee, composed of their close aides, to engage in discussions on their behalf.

But the trio hasn’t been seen together since their May 15 meeting.

Yameen has also repeatedly voiced criticism against the MDP for “slacking off” and not doing their party as the country’s largest opposition party. He has also criticized Nasheed and Solih themselves.

When questioned about the alliance during a press briefing on Sunday afternoon, Nasheed responded that the steering committee held two meetings.

“We haven’t been able to walk that speedily along this path since the meeting,” he told reporters.

But Nasheed stressed that this does not mean that the joint efforts have stopped.

And addressing questions regarding Yameen’s criticism, Nasheed said that the opinions he expressed will not affect the alliance.

“Different people will make different political comments over time. But these comments will not cast a shadow over our meeting. You cannot say the meetings aren’t going ahead,” he said.