No matter what the spin, it is beyond dispute that Mohammed Nasheed, the first Maldivian President to be elected democratically in 2008, was forced out without a hint of democratic procedure on Tuesday.
Since a section of the police revolted hours earlier, and the military leaders advised the President to quit, we may call this a “soft coup”, particularly as uniformed personnel didn’t seize power directly.
Whether the men in khaki will now engage in backseat driving is yet to be seen, but the first signs are hopeful.
A coalition of ruling party and Opposition leaders has taken charge of a new government headed by Mohammed Waheed Hassan, the erstwhile vice-president. Apparently India’s counsel carried in bringing this about. The other positive sign is that the former President was not formally detained, though there are political voices in the country demanding this.
For the record, Mr Nasheed resigned of his own accord, saying at a press conference that carrying on would have meant use of force, which he was against. This implies armed resistance to his rule by some in the uniformed forces, and confirms the sense of an orchestrated coup-like development.
Mr Nasheed further claimed Wednesday he had been “threatened” and given an ultimatum at the military headquarters.
It cannot be overlooked that the police revolt against his government, and the military indicating its support of the topple, came after two months of intense political agitation by fundamentalist Islamic forces. This would suggest some in the police and Army defer to anti-democratic tendencies. India has to factor this in while watching developments unfold in Male.
Intriguingly, while stepping down Mr Nasheed also noted his continuing might have invited foreign interference. The outgoing President has thus left a question dangling in the air. It would be useful to know which foreign power has clout to such an extent in Male. India enjoys considerable influence, but it was not in this country’s interest to topple President Nasheed.
In any case, the new President is also widely seen as friendly to New Delhi. But the question won’t go away, unless Mr Nasheed was engaging in gross exaggeration to make his act of resignation appear noble. At any rate, it is in India’s interest to get to the bottom of these events that gathered speed rather surprisingly.
India sees the toppling game as an “internal” matter, which is correct. But it’s rather odd if it was caught unawares. If that is so, it shows utter sloppiness, for India provides the Maldives security, handles its military communications and provides trade and financial assistance.
Was New Delhi then really in the dark about what was brewing in the Maldives?