2011–2013 Maldives political crisis
This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2017) |
2011–2012 Maldives political crisis | |||
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Date | May 2011 – March 2012 (with ongoing unrest and counter-protests) | ||
Location | Mohammed Nasheed 2013 Maldivian presidential election | ||
Parties | |||
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Lead figures | |||
More than 100 injured, 75 seriously; 350+ arrests[citation needed] Many injured by the post-coup government's security reactions to the counter-protests[1] |
The 2011–2013 Maldives political crisis
The primary cause for the protests was rising commodity prices and a poor economic situation in the country.[7]
The protests led to a resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed on 7 February 2012, and the Vice President
In April 2012, it was announced that new elections were to be held in July 2013; they eventually
Background
Following nearly 30 years of rule by then-President
Mohamed Nasheed was elected president in 2008, becoming the first president to be elected by a multi-party democracy in the Maldives, and Dr. Waheed was the first elected vice president in the Maldives. Their election victory ended the 30-year dictatorship of President Gayoom. Nasheed and the new government implemented many reforms in the country. In 2009, President Nasheed was awarded the
Despite major political reforms, however, the Maldivian economy continued to suffer. Many factors have created for a poor economic situation in the Maldives, including the
The Arab Spring broke out across the Arab world and had worldwide influence, including in the Maldives, which shares historic, cultural, regional and religious connections to the Middle Eastern countries facing protests. A GlobalPost article says that many in the international community consider Mohammed Nasheed the "Godfather of the Arab Spring" for his role in bringing democracy to the Maldives and the peaceful protests which led to his election as president.[19]
December 2011 demonstration
On 23 December 2011, the opposition held a mass symposium with as many as 20,000 people in the name of protecting Islam, which they believed Nasheed's government was unable to maintain in the country. The mass event became the foundation of a campaign that brought about social unrest within the capital city.[citation needed]
Attempted arrest of Judge Abdulla Mohamed
On 16 January 2012,[20] the Maldives military, on orders from the interior ministry, arrested Judge Abdulla Mohamed, the chief justice of the Maldives Criminal Court, on charges he was blocking the prosecution of corruption and human rights cases against allies of former President Gayoom.
Weeks of protests and demonstrations ensued, led by local police dissidents who opposed Nasheed's 16 January arrest order against Chief Justice Abdulla Mohamed.[21]
On 7 February, Nasheed ordered the police and army to subdue the anti-government protesters. Police came out to protest against the government instead.[22]
President Mohamed Nasheed resigned the same day by letter, and followed that with a televised public address. Nasheed later stated that he was forced to resign at gunpoint through a police mutiny and coup led by President Waheed.[23][24] There have been disputes over exactly what happened that day. Nasheed's vice president, Mohammed Waheed Hassan, was sworn in the same day as president in accordance with the Constitution at the People's Majlis in front of the Chief Justice.[25] Waheed had opposed the arrest order and supported the opposition that forced Mohamed Nasheed to resign, but despite allegations he denied involvement in the coup.[26]
2012 protests and resignation
Nasheed resigned on 7 February 2012 following weeks of protests after he ordered the military to arrest Abdulla Mohamed, the Chief Justice of the Criminal Court, on 16 January. Maldives police joined the protesters after refusing to use force on them and took over the state-owned television station[
Vice President
Use of force by Nasheed
Nasheed notoriously ordered very little use of force against the protests throughout most of the demonstrations. However, it was during his three years as president that the most frequent use of tear gas on public occurred. It was claimed that he ordered the police and security forces to use force against the protests in late January too as the protests were reaching escalating. It is claimed that police mutinied as a result of this.[citation needed]
Use of force by the opposition
Following the coup, the new government reacted very harshly to the counter-protests. Amnesty International has been very critical of the coup-implanted government's use of force.[1] There have been many injured, many arrested, and at least one death committed by the post-coup government's security reactions to the counter-protests.[1]
Timeline
2011
May (initial protests)
The first protests occurred on 1 May 2011, with thousands gathering in the capital Malé.[28] Protests continued the following day with thousands gathering in the capital and reported clashes with police and protesters.[29] On 3 May, over 2,000 demonstrators clashed with Maldivian security forces in Male. Riot police reportedly used tear gas to disperse the protesters.[30] Protests again broke out again on 4 May. Police used force to break up demonstrators and eyewitnesses say that police arrested a senior opposition activist.[31] On May fifth, protesters began their protests at Artificial Beach. In the fifth night of demonstrations Parliamentarian and DRP youth Council President Mr. Ahmed Mahloof, Maldives national football team forward Assad Ali and several others was arrested.[32][33][34]
December (opposition parties alliance)
An opposition alliance (Madhanee Ithihaad) was formed in December 2011, including all the parties that supported the President in his 2008 presidential race. Those parties included the
On 23 December 2011, the opposition held a mass symposium with as many as 20,000 people in the name of protecting Islam, which they believed Nasheed's government was unable to maintain in the country. The mass event became the foundation of a campaign that brought about social unrest within the capital city of Male. [citation needed]
2012
January (arrest of Judge Abdulla Mohamed)
On 16 January 2012,[36] the Maldives military, on orders from President Nasheed, arrested Judge Abdulla Mohamed, the chief justice of the Maldives Criminal Court, on charges he was blocking the prosecution of corruption and human rights cases against allies of former President Gayoom. The opposition claims that the arrest was unconstitutional.
The arrest of Judge Mohamed was the ignition for further protests. Due to the arrest of the judge the opposition parties' protests gained momentum and demanded Judge Abdulla Mohamed's immediate release. During the detention of the judge, the HRCM was able to visit him in his place of detention, a military training base, and confirm his safety.
The opposition's protest in the Republic Square lasted for 22 days. On 6 February 2012, the Maldives Police Service declined to use force to control or disperse the protests and joined the protest.[44]
February
There was an escalation in the protests and some protesters attacked the opposition-linked VTV television station. The police began a mutiny in late January. On 7 February, the protests reached their climax, with the military firing tear gas at demonstrators and police who were swarming the National Defence Force headquarters. In early hours of 7 February 2012, President Mohamed Nasheed was seen inside the military headquarters.
President Nasheed was claimed to have resigned stating that he wanted to stop the violence.
On 23 February 2012, the Commonwealth suspended the Maldives from its democracy and human rights watchdog while the ousting was being investigated, and backed Nasheed's call for elections before the end of 2012.[51]
February and March (counter protests)
Counter protests broke out following the coup, in favor of ousted Nasheed. The protesters demonstrated against the coup and in favor of Nasheed. Supporters of Nasheed's political party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), led massive demonstrations.
On 8 February, the MDP convened an emergency executive meeting and called for its members to go into streets. President Mohamed Nasheed then attempted to lead the protesters to the Republic Square. Before his march reached the square, however, the Maldives Police Service dispersed the protest with batons and pepper spray.
On 1 March, thousands of protestors who supported Mohamed Nasheed rallied to prevent Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik from entering Parliament.[52][53][54]
Amnesty International has raised concerns of human rights abuses during this round of protests. Amnesty claims that there was excessive use of force by security forces against the protesters backing Nasheed,[1][55] including sexual harassment of female prisoners.[56] An Amnesty International spokesperson condemned the police tactics as "brutal" and "outright human rights violations".[57]
April (parliamentary by-election)
On 14 April, parliamentary by-election were held, the first since the protests began, with Mohammed Waheed's party winning.[58]
Mohamed Musthafa, an MDP candidate and former Member of Parliament, said that he refused to accept the result of the by-election, claiming that there were "major issues in Guraidhoo" and other issues (Guraidhoo is an island which reportedly registered abnormally high voter turn-out in the by-elections).[59]
2013
Political instability continued into 2013, with a planned presidential election being delayed three times.[12][60] Abdulla Yameen won the last run-off vote which was held in November, and Nasheed conceded defeat.[61]
Nasheed coup allegations
Nasheed and his supporters maintained that he was ousted in a coup, but this claim was disputed by Hassan's supporters, the National Commission of Inquiry, and the governments of the US, UK, India, and the Commonwealth of Nations.
Nasheed, in an interview with The Hindu after he was ousted, claimed that there was a plotted coup. He said: "I was given a seven-page letter by the General then in charge of military intelligence warning of a plot, to overthrow my government, by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. However, the officer concerned was promptly replaced [by the Army]."[62] As for why he resigned, Nasheed said: "I knew this was going to end either with many deaths or with my being lynched. So I agreed to resign".[62] He said it was "shocking" how hastily the governments of India and the US "stepped in to recognise the new regime – the coup."[63][64]
Nasheed and his foreign minister, Ahmed Naseem, claimed in interviews that Islamic extremists were upset with his rule and were behind the coup.[49][50] The conservative-minded US think-tank the Heritage Foundation raised concerns that the coup was to put Waheed into power in an effort to "strengthening of the military’s role in politics" and to create a fundamentalist Islamist government.[65] Nasheed also claimed that wealthy resort owners were behind the coup. Nasheed had worked to amend the tax code so that wealthy resort owners paid more taxes. Nasheed said: "The coup was largely financed by resort owners" and that "I suppose they [the resort owners] liked the old order of corruption."[66] The World Socialist Web Site, the online news center of the International Committee of the Fourth International claimed that the coup was backed by the United States[67] and that United States and Indian envoys intervened in the crisis to back the coup.[68]
The coup interpretation was also backed by UK MP David Amess, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group to the Maldives, but contradicted by UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who asserted that Nasheed "had resigned".[69] Nasheed's successor and opposition forces also stated that the transfer of power was voluntary.[70] A later
International reactions
- The governments of the US and India quickly recognised the new government.[71][72]
- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon raised concerns and called for quick and fair elections.[73]
- The Commonwealth of Nations urged early elections (by the end of 2012) and immediate dialogue between the parties.[5]
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