“No one or party owns this land” – Maldivian public debate presidential overhaul
07 Feb 2012, 10:19 PM
Hawwa Lubna
“I can’t believe this,” said a young man standing next to me as the whole nation watched Mohamed Nasheed, the first democratically-elected President of Maldives, announced his resignation on live television – an ‘unexpected’ move that has left some ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) members and its supporters disheartened and angry while the jubilant opposition continues celebrations.
Nasheed’s untimely resignation came soon after approximately 100 members of police and military forces joined the opposition-led demonstration on the streets of capital Male’, taking over the state broadcaster and culminating into what the government by late morning was calling a military coup against the administration.
In the midst of the rapid political change, the common people remain – bewildered and uncertain of the future. They are all asking one question: what will happen next?
Former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik was sworn into the presidency this afternoon. Although he has promised to uphold the ‘rule of law’ he has not yet made any clear statements on how the executive will proceed or of a strategy to reform the cabinet.
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