Sixth President of the Republic of Maldives
Abdulla YameenAbdul Gayoom
A five-year term that rebuilt the physical connection between the capital islands — and a continuing political life at the head of the People's National Front.
A five-year term that rebuilt the physical connection between the capital islands — and a continuing political life at the head of the People's National Front.
Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom entered government service in July 1978, after studying at the American University of Beirut and Claremont Graduate University. His early career was spent at the Maldives Monetary Authority, first as a secretary and then as a research officer — a grounding in public finance that shaped how he later approached the state's balance sheet.
Under the administration of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom he held three portfolios: Minister of Trade and Industries from 1993, Minister of Higher Education from 2005 to 2007, and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation in 2008.
After the 2008 presidential election he founded the People's Alliance, which took seven seats in the 2009 parliamentary election. In 2011 he merged it with Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's faction to form the Progressive Party of Maldives, and in 2013 he won the presidency in a second-round run-off against Mohamed Nasheed with roughly 51 per cent of the vote.
The five years that followed were defined by capital projects financed largely through Chinese lending — a bridge, a runway, a hospital tower and a housing scheme that together changed the shape of Greater Malé. The same period drew sustained criticism from press-freedom and human-rights organisations, and that record is set out alongside the rest on this site rather than around it.
Projects are separated by what actually happened to them. Several of the largest were begun in this term and commissioned by later administrations — those are listed as carried forward rather than claimed as completed.
Sinamalé Bridge — the first inter-island bridge built in the Maldives.
The second runway at Velana International Airport, 60 m wide.
Dharumavantha Hospital, the tallest medical facility in the country.
People the Hiyaa scheme on Hulhumalé Phase II was planned to shelter.
These summarise publicly documented positions of the People's National Front and of the 2013–2018 administration. They are written in the third person on purpose — any statement in the President's own voice should be supplied by his office before publication.
A foreign policy organised around national sovereignty and independence of decision, and public opposition to foreign military presence on Maldivian soil.
Hard infrastructure as the instrument of development: bridges, runways, harbours and utilities that shorten the distance between an island and a hospital, a school or a job.
Closer economic and financing ties with China, and a case for judging partnerships by the assets they leave standing in the country.
A platform grounded in social conservatism and in the country's religious and cultural identity as the basis of national unity.
Party formation and court proceedings run through the same years and are listed together, in date order, with outcomes stated in full.
Hands over the presidency to Ibrahim Mohamed Solih after the 2018 election.
Authorities freeze US$6.5 million in assets and bring corruption and money-laundering charges connected to island lease payments.
Convicted of money laundering and sentenced to five years' imprisonment with a US$5 million fine.
The appeal against the 2019 conviction is dismissed.
The Supreme Court quashes the money-laundering conviction and he is released after two years in custody.
Sentenced to 11 years and fined US$5 million in the V. Aarah atoll lease case. Moved to home confinement in October 2023.
The Supreme Court rules him ineligible to stand in the 2023 presidential election.
After leaving the Progressive Party of Maldives, the PNF is founded by his son Zeine Abdulla Yameen.
The High Court overturns the 11-year sentence and orders a retrial, finding the original proceedings unfair.
The Elections Commission completes registration of the party.
Elected president of the People's National Front unopposed.
The party stages the first rallies of the 2026 protests, calling for the President's resignation.
Coordinates with former presidents Mohamed Nasheed and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih over press restrictions and the constitutional referendum.
Figures carry the date they were recorded, so that a stale number is visible as a stale number.
Elected president of the PNF unopposed on 30 October 2025. The party was registered on 25 April 2024 and recorded 3,012 members as of January 2026. It holds no seats in the People's Majlis.
From 7 April 2026 the PNF staged rallies calling for the President's resignation. In mid-May 2026 Yameen joined former presidents Mohamed Nasheed and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in a joint opposition front over press restrictions and the constitutional referendum.
The PNF has begun fielding candidates under its own ticket, including Ismail Zariyand's 2026 campaign for Mayor of Malé — the party's first electoral outings since registration.
The High Court overturned the 11-year sentence in April 2024 and ordered a retrial on grounds of unfair proceedings. The retrial has been paused pending an appeal before the Supreme Court.
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