Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has criticised former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, saying his administration left behind what he described as a “golden age of debt.”

In a post on X, Saeed accused Solih of bankrupting state-owned companies, devaluing the Maldivian Rufiyaa, and burdening the state with unsustainable debt. He alleged that despite having five years in office to implement reform, Solih’s government failed to deliver meaningful results.

Saeed questioned Solih’s current calls for reform, noting that during his presidency he claimed five years was too long for a single term. He asked whether Solih’s renewed candidacy is a genuine attempt at reform or a reflection of a lack of other capable candidates within his party.

The Minister also recalled that under Solih’s administration, opposition leaders were jailed and party offices were closed, while citizens faced restrictions on protests. He argued that Solih’s time in office brought little reform, but instead left behind a legacy of debt, weakened companies, and economic instability.