#MaldivesInCrisis, young people and politics
The young people interviewed for this article did not feel represented by any one politician or party and none of them have connections to the country’s political parties.
17 Feb 2018, 9:00 AM
Almost half of the Maldives resident population is under 25, making them a significant part of the country’s electorate ahead of presidential polls due to be held later this year. The Maldives Independent spoke to young people about the political crisis that began earlier this month.
A state of emergency was imposed on February 5 because President Abdulla Yameen claimed there was a coup plot that needed investigating.
Days beforehand the Supreme Court said that nine prisoners, including former president Mohamed Nasheed, should be released and that lawmakers who had been stripped of their seats should be reinstated. It also said that nobody had authority over the Supreme Court. The court later annulled parts of the ruling – about the prisoners’ release and oversight.
“The average Maldivian does not benefit from this ruling,” said 27-year old Moosa Hassan*. “The ruling, much like other Supreme Court rulings, was politically motivated. The difference is that this time it favours the opposition.”
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