The president has been dogged by graft allegations since he took office.
The president has yet to submit his candidacy application for the September election.
More than US$80 million was embezzled from the state-owned marketing company.
The Maldives president accused the opposition of being selfish.
The European Union has previously spoken of 'targeted measures' against the Maldives.
The president slammed foreign interference and vowed harsh punishments for Maldivians who insult Islam.
One minister hoped 'honest campaigning' could now begin.
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was arrested in February during a state of emergency in connection with an alleged coup plot.
Dunya Maumoon, a former foreign minister in her uncle President Abdulla Yameen's government, told an Indian newspaper that the Maldivian "experiment with democracy may be failing"...
Authorities have repressed all forms of dissent including "violently breaking up peaceful demonstrations, arbitrarily arresting and detaining protesters, attacking journalists and threatening news organisations with closure,"...
Malé, a 2.2 square mile island that has already been reclaimed to the edge of its house reef, has a population of 133,000 people. It is...
The incarceration of the former president and strongman, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has provoked mixed emotions among Maldivians.
A video shows UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric talking to reporters about exchanges between the United Nations and Malé.
The president's speech clocked in at just 18 minutes. Last year's speech lasted one hour and 13 minutes.
Ties with India have been in the spotlight since the Maldives signed a massive free trade deal with China, and relations have become strained in recent...
There has been widespread condemnation about President Abdulla Yameen's administration and the country's vital tourism industry has taken a beating as holidaymakers stay away.
The state of emergency in the Maldives has been extended by another 30 days, after parliament on Tuesday approved President Abdulla Yameen's request.
