Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) chairperson Fayyaz Ismail resigned on Monday night, citing persistent internal divisions and the strain created by his decision to seek the party’s presidential ticket for 2028.
His resignation was announced during a closed meeting of the MDP National Council and later confirmed on social media. In his address, Fayyaz said the party’s unresolved factional split had hindered its ability to function effectively as the opposition to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s administration.
Fayyaz, who declared his presidential ambitions in June, acknowledged that his candidacy had complicated routine party work. He wrote that some members had questioned the motives behind his decisions as Chairperson, describing it as a challenge that had overshadowed party activities.
Elected in May 2022 in one of the MDP’s most heated internal contests, Fayyaz entered office backed by supporters of then President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, while his rival Imthiyaz Fahmy was endorsed by the faction aligned with former President Mohamed Nasheed. That divide continues to shape the party today, including in the competitive primary for the Malé Mayor ticket.
In his speech, Fayyaz argued that the party’s leadership structure must be reformed to ensure unified direction, saying “three swords cannot be kept in one sheath.” He proposed that the party leader should not hold any state positions and must be fully dedicated to party affairs.
He also urged members to rise above personal grievances, warning that “seeking payback for past heartaches” would only impede progress. The party, he said, could succeed in future elections only if it resolves the long-standing rift between Solih and Nasheed.
A source close to Fayyaz said his resignation was intended to guarantee equal opportunity for all contenders in the 2028 primary—“a pledge he has fulfilled tonight.”
With Fayyaz still the only candidate to have formally declared for the 2028 primaries, his departure is expected to intensify political manoeuvring within the MDP as the party attempts to reclaim unity ahead of the next national vote.
