NEW DELHI: India played a "positive" function in recovery of democracy in Maldives by means of "exerting pressure" at the ruling regime, and the brand new govt within the island country would be "sensitive" in opposition to New Delhi's "concerns", former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said on Sunday.
Nearly a month after he was launched from prison, Gayoom, who dominated Maldives for three many years till 2008, said the federal government of President Abdulla Yameen inflicted "huge damage" on Maldives but democratic forces have prevailed over their "enemies".
Joint opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came out victorious within the September 23 presidential election, handing a shock defeat to incumbent Yameen and capping months of political upheaval within the tourist paradise. The political turmoil was brought about by means of imposition of emergency in February and jailing of a number of of opposition leaders together with Gayoom, a half brother of Yameen.
Yameen had challenged the end result of the elections, alleging the vote was rigged but the nation's Supreme Court upheld the consequences. The transition of energy is due on Nov 17.
"The last few years did erode the credibility of Maldivian constitutional bodies as well as confidence of the Maldivian people in the state," 80-year-old Gayoom instructed PTI in an unique interview.
"However, the people have themselves taken remedial action as the election results have shown. There was huge damage done, but the constitution, the constitutional bodies and the citizen rights given by the constitution will be safe and strong under the new coalition government," he added.
Gayoom had dominated Maldives for 30 years till he was defeated within the nation's first multi-party elections in 2008. He was arrested in February as part of crackdown on Yameen's political fighters.
Asked whether Yameen drew his power from sturdy backing by means of China, Gayoom, credited with forging sturdy ties with India, was hoping that China would recognize the will of the Maldivian other people.
"We value the support China has given for our development. However, we are concerned at the level of debt we have incurred in recent years, and feel this needs to be carefully reviewed and managed. I am sure that China would respect the will of the Maldivian people," he said within the e-mail interview.
Asked about India's function after imposition of emergency by means of Yameen in February, Gayoom said, "India did play a positive role, and along with other international partners, did exert pressure towards restoration of democracy."
"Keeping the Maldivian issue alive in international fora did result in putting pressure on the Yameen regime," the former Maldivian strongman, who was launched from prison on September 30 following orders of a courtroom, said.
India's ties with Maldives came beneath pressure after Yameen declared Emergency within the nation on February 5, following an order by means of the rustic's Supreme Court to release a gaggle of Opposition leaders, who have been convicted in broadly criticised trials. The Emergency was lifted 45 days later.
"I do not see the events of the last few years having a lasting impact (on bilateral ties)...I do not think these bumps and turbulence would impact decades of (our) India first policy," he said.
Describing India as the "closest and most trusted ally" of Maldives, he said it was within the interests of all of the Maldives' geographical neighbours that there's stability within the Indian Ocean region.
"I am confident that the new government will work towards achieving this. We will be sensitive towards the concerns of India as well as of other friends," he said, adding Maldives was having a look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Maldives "very soon".
During the crisis, India had disregarded calls for army intervention from the opposition parties within the island country.
The influence of China on Maldives, an island country within the Indian Ocean, thought to be a yard of India, has been rising and it is noticed as a concern in New Delhi.
Talking about publish election state of affairs, Gayoom said the first precedence of the brand new govt would be to unify the folks of Maldives after the era of sour politics
"Maldivians saw through attempts to muzzle democratic voice and defeated the forces who tried to undermine democracy and rule of law in the country," he said.
Asked about transition of energy, Gayoom said the Maldivian Supreme Court has clearly stated that there was no grounds for Yameen to query the result of the presidential elections.
"The road is now clear for a smooth transition. The coalition government is committed to peace, stability, progress and democracy," he said.
He additionally mentioned his efforts to deliver multi-party democracy to Maldives in 2008 in sync with the aspirations of the folks, adding the charter had all the exams and balance which can be required to safeguard democracy.
"It is indeed sad that these very checks and balance were abused to derail democracy to protect the vested interests of a few," he said.
"It is my hope that we learn from past mistakes and move beyond the blame game, and work together for the good of our citizens and country," he added.
Nearly a month after he was launched from prison, Gayoom, who dominated Maldives for three many years till 2008, said the federal government of President Abdulla Yameen inflicted "huge damage" on Maldives but democratic forces have prevailed over their "enemies".
Joint opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came out victorious within the September 23 presidential election, handing a shock defeat to incumbent Yameen and capping months of political upheaval within the tourist paradise. The political turmoil was brought about by means of imposition of emergency in February and jailing of a number of of opposition leaders together with Gayoom, a half brother of Yameen.
Yameen had challenged the end result of the elections, alleging the vote was rigged but the nation's Supreme Court upheld the consequences. The transition of energy is due on Nov 17.
"The last few years did erode the credibility of Maldivian constitutional bodies as well as confidence of the Maldivian people in the state," 80-year-old Gayoom instructed PTI in an unique interview.
"However, the people have themselves taken remedial action as the election results have shown. There was huge damage done, but the constitution, the constitutional bodies and the citizen rights given by the constitution will be safe and strong under the new coalition government," he added.
Gayoom had dominated Maldives for 30 years till he was defeated within the nation's first multi-party elections in 2008. He was arrested in February as part of crackdown on Yameen's political fighters.
Asked whether Yameen drew his power from sturdy backing by means of China, Gayoom, credited with forging sturdy ties with India, was hoping that China would recognize the will of the Maldivian other people.
"We value the support China has given for our development. However, we are concerned at the level of debt we have incurred in recent years, and feel this needs to be carefully reviewed and managed. I am sure that China would respect the will of the Maldivian people," he said within the e-mail interview.
Asked about India's function after imposition of emergency by means of Yameen in February, Gayoom said, "India did play a positive role, and along with other international partners, did exert pressure towards restoration of democracy."
"Keeping the Maldivian issue alive in international fora did result in putting pressure on the Yameen regime," the former Maldivian strongman, who was launched from prison on September 30 following orders of a courtroom, said.
India's ties with Maldives came beneath pressure after Yameen declared Emergency within the nation on February 5, following an order by means of the rustic's Supreme Court to release a gaggle of Opposition leaders, who have been convicted in broadly criticised trials. The Emergency was lifted 45 days later.
"I do not see the events of the last few years having a lasting impact (on bilateral ties)...I do not think these bumps and turbulence would impact decades of (our) India first policy," he said.
Describing India as the "closest and most trusted ally" of Maldives, he said it was within the interests of all of the Maldives' geographical neighbours that there's stability within the Indian Ocean region.
"I am confident that the new government will work towards achieving this. We will be sensitive towards the concerns of India as well as of other friends," he said, adding Maldives was having a look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Maldives "very soon".
During the crisis, India had disregarded calls for army intervention from the opposition parties within the island country.
The influence of China on Maldives, an island country within the Indian Ocean, thought to be a yard of India, has been rising and it is noticed as a concern in New Delhi.
Talking about publish election state of affairs, Gayoom said the first precedence of the brand new govt would be to unify the folks of Maldives after the era of sour politics
"Maldivians saw through attempts to muzzle democratic voice and defeated the forces who tried to undermine democracy and rule of law in the country," he said.
Asked about transition of energy, Gayoom said the Maldivian Supreme Court has clearly stated that there was no grounds for Yameen to query the result of the presidential elections.
"The road is now clear for a smooth transition. The coalition government is committed to peace, stability, progress and democracy," he said.
He additionally mentioned his efforts to deliver multi-party democracy to Maldives in 2008 in sync with the aspirations of the folks, adding the charter had all the exams and balance which can be required to safeguard democracy.
"It is indeed sad that these very checks and balance were abused to derail democracy to protect the vested interests of a few," he said.
"It is my hope that we learn from past mistakes and move beyond the blame game, and work together for the good of our citizens and country," he added.
India helped in restoration of democracy in Maldives: Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
![India helped in restoration of democracy in Maldives: Maumoon Abdul Gayoom]()
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October 28, 2018
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