At Congress, Solih says old ties shouldn't be weakened by political differences

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said long-standing relationships should not be weakened by political differences, urging MDP members to maintain unity despite internal competition. 

He made the remarks at the inaugural session of the main opposition MDP Congress on Thursday evening.

Solih said the contest for the party’s 2028 presidential ticket is intense, and that strong competition is healthy for internal democracy. He noted that candidates will naturally differ in policy and enjoy varying levels of public support, but stressed that unity must prevail once the contest ends.

“Two people who disagree within the party are not enemies; they are from the same political family,” he said, adding that political differences should never overshadow the public interest. Solih said he was told that if he and President Nasheed work under the same political ideology, the MDP could regain power.

He said no member is bigger than the MDP, and no political party is bigger than the country. Solih added that the party’s path back to government depends on rebuilding public confidence, which requires listening to people, acknowledging past mistakes and offering real solutions. “And most importantly, trust can be earned by action,” he said.

މި ޕާޓީގެ ފަސްވަނަ ކޮންގްރެސް ފެށިގެން ކުރިއަށްދަނީ.#MDPCongress2026 #RahvehiTharaggee #RahvehiUfehdhun pic.twitter.com/1H6AYVwIEJ

— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) October 1, 2026

His remarks almost certainly directed at his estranged partner in politics, it is interesting to note how Solih and Nasheed have been friends since childhood and worked together on democratic reforms. 

Their relationship deteriorated mid-term during Solih’s regime over disagreements on Nasheed’s push for a parliamentary system. Tensions deepened after Nasheed lost the MDP primary for the 2023 presidential election, openly criticised Solih’s government and left the party to form a new political movement.

Both leaders faced defeat in the presidential election, with many believing the split contributed to the MDP’s loss. Nasheed later withdrew from politics, worked abroad with the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), and rejoined the MDP in June last year. He won the party chairmanship and has announced he will support former chairman Fayyaz Ismail in the upcoming presidential primary rather than contesting himself.