Opposition leader and former President Mohamed Nasheed has on Thursday announced that he would run for office in the 2018 presidential elections, and welcomed President Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s rivalry.

At a press conference in Colombo, Nasheed said his official candidacy will only be confirmed crudely close to the elections, as was the case in the 2013 elections.

“If President Yameen has the courage to contest against me, he should” Nasheed continued “If he does not, and I am unable to contest, we will put forth another candidate”.

Nasheed called on the international community to assist in safeguarding democratic values in the Maldives, and expressed his confidence that it would have a ‘plan to stabilize the country’.

He further described the Yameen administration as tyrannical and said most fundamental rights are now being trampled and that the opposition must work headstrong to ensure a free and fair election.