Former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has warned that the Maldives is heading in a dangerous direction under President Mohamed Muizzu, accusing the government of economic failure, growing authoritarianism, and risking the country’s sovereignty.
In a post on X, Fayyaz said the last two years of the Muizzu administration have clearly shown that the president does not know how to run a country. He said the economy has weakened badly while the freedoms Maldivians fought for are being slowly taken away.
Fayyaz said the Muizzu government has no clear vision or plan for the country. Instead, he accused the president of focusing on gaining full control over the state and forcing his personal views on society.
He said women and marginalized groups are being increasingly targeted by the government. Referring to recent announcements, Fayyaz said the administration is moving to control what women can do and wear, calling it a direct attack on personal freedom.
Fayyaz also raised serious concerns about reports that the government is planning to allow foreigners to own land in the Maldives. He warned that this would be extremely dangerous, especially at a time when powerful countries are competing for influence in the region.
He said history shows how such decisions can lead to permanent loss of control over a country. Fayyaz pointed to land sales in Palestine during the Ottoman period as a warning that short-term decisions can cause long-term damage to sovereignty.
According to Fayyaz, one of the biggest dangers today is how easily democratic protections are being weakened, allowing too much power to be placed in the hands of the president.
He called on Maldivians who care about freedom, justice, and democracy to work toward strengthening the constitution and state institutions so that no leader can damage the country so easily.
Fayyaz ended his message by saying he hopes 2026 will be a year of positive change, where the Maldives moves back toward protecting rights, freedom, and national sovereignty.
