Yameen accuses president of failing to deliver on promises

Opposition Leader and former President Abdulla Yameen on Thursday accused President Mohamed Muizzu of making election promises without intent to fulfil them, citing unmet commitments to fishermen as an example.

Speaking at a Progressive National Front (PNF) rally held in Male’, Yameen referred to recent protests by fishermen near the city and said the demonstrations reflected frustration over promises that remain unfulfilled.

Yameen, who also serves as PNF president, said President Muizzu had made a range of commitments during the election campaign which, he claimed, were aimed at securing votes rather than being implemented.

He said campaign statements included assurances that problems faced by fishermen would be addressed, including setting a minimum price for large fish and initiating purchases through the state-owned Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO).

President Muizzu’s election pledges to fishermen included setting a minimum purchase price of MVR 80 to MVR 100 for large fish and resuming fish purchases through MIFCO. Yameen said these commitments have not been fulfilled, noting that fishermen have staged protests over the past two days.

Addressing the handling of the protests, Yameen criticised the government’s response, referring to restrictions placed on the movement of fishing vessels near Male’. He argued that blocking access routes amounted to an infringement of constitutional freedoms.

Yameen said legal advisers should clarify whether such actions are consistent with constitutional guarantees, including freedom of movement and the right to peaceful protest.

He added that the fishermen’s protest on Fishermen’s Day had, in his view, exposed what he described as the government’s actual position on the fisheries sector.

The government has not yet responded to Yameen’s remarks.