Former President Abdulla Yameen, currently incarcerated, has taken a surprising step by unveiling his running mate for the upcoming presidential election. Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has been chosen by Yameen to join him on the ticket, as officially confirmed by Heena Waleed, the spokesperson for Yameen’s Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). This announcement has added to the anticipation surrounding the election.
Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed previously served as Yameen’s first vice president after Yameen’s victory in the 2013 election. However, their political alliance took a dramatic turn in 2015 when Jameel was removed from his position through a no-confidence vote initiated by the PPM. Following his ousting, Jameel became a prominent figure leading the ‘United Opposition’ movement. He vocally criticized his former political ally’s administration and faced mounting pressure, eventually leading him to seek self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom until the end of Yameen’s tenure as president.
After Yameen’s defeat in the 2018 elections, Jameel joined the Jumhoory Party (JP), which was part of the coalition government at the time. However, his political journey took yet another twist, leading him back to the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) once again.
Despite Yameen’s ongoing appeal proceedings for serious charges of bribery and money laundering related to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development, he received an 11-year prison sentence on December 25, 2022. This conviction potentially disqualifies him from participating in the upcoming presidential election, leaving uncertainty and concern among his political allies and supporters. The situation remains tense as the election approaches, and the political landscape continues to shift in the Maldives.
