Maldives’ first democratically elected President resigned on Tuesday after a police mutiny described by his office as an attempted coup, capping three weeks of political upheaval in the holiday paradise.
“It will be better for the country in the current situation if I resign. I don’t want to run the country with an iron fist. I am resigning,” President, Mr Mohamed Nasheed, told a televised press conference.
Early in the day, rebel police officers joined anti government protests that have rocked the capital Male for the past three weeks. They later took over state television and began broadcasting an opposition channel.
Army spokesman, Colonel Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, told AFP that troops had used tear gas and rubber bullets during clashes with the protestors and police in the crowded capital Male.
“The sporadic clashes began after midnight and continued until 8:00 am (0830 IST),” Mr Latheef said.
A presidential official described the unrest as “an attempted coup” by former President, Mr Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who Mr Nasheed turfed out of power in the country’s first democratic presidential elections in 2008.
Army spokesman, Mr Latheef, stressed there had been no military takeover, although the defence forces had “advised” Mr Nasheed to resign. “It is not a coup. Definitely not a coup,” he added.
Vice President, Mr Mohamed Waheed, was later sworn in as the new head of state, while the government urged the population of 300,000 Sunni Muslims to remain calm.
Opposition demands for Mr Nasheed to step down escalated after he ordered the arrest last month of Criminal Court Chief Justice Abdulla Mohamed on charges of misconduct and favouring opposition figures.
Monitoring
India said it was closely monitoring the “sudden turn of events” in Maldives, where the President resigned following series of protests, but termed it as “internal matter” which as of now needs no outside assistance and said its community there was safe.
“We have noted the decision of President, Mr Mohamed Nasheed, to resign in favour of Vice President, Mr Mohamed Waheed. This is an internal matter of the Maldives, to be resolved by Maldivians. We hope that all issues will be resolved in a peaceful and democratic manner,” official spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affair said here.
India has traditionally enjoyed close ties of friendship and cooperation with the Maldives, he said, adding, “We remain committed to extending the fullest support and cooperation to the Maldivian government in its endeavour to promote peace and progress there and the prosperity and well being of its people.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation in the Maldives and understand that the Indian expatriate community there is safe.” There are about 30,000 Indians there.