Maldives lifts 45-day state of emergency

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Maldives President Abdulla Yameen lifted a 45-day state of emergency on Thursday which had outlawed protests amid a political crisis.

"Though there still exists a diminished threat to national security, because the nation can now continue without further losses incurred, and upon the advice of the Security Services and in an effort to promote normalcy, the president has decided to lift the state of emergency," his office said in a statement.

Maldives plunges into crisis after President Abdulla Yameen declares a state of emergency after a top court order. /Reuters Photo

The tumult began on February 1 when the Supreme Court ordered the immediate release of former President Mohamed Nasheed and eight other opposition leaders, saying the previous proceedings had violated the constitution and international law.

On February 5, a 15-day state of emergency was declared, giving the security forces new powers and banning public gatherings.

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed. /VCG Photo

Hours after a state of emergency was declared, Maldives police arrested former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom at his residence, along with his son-in-law. Abdulla Saeed, chief justice of the Supreme Court and another judge, Ali Hameed, were also arrested.

On February 20, the Maldives' parliament approved the extension of the state of emergency by 30 days, a day after Yameen sought it saying a threat to national security had not diminished and a constitutional crisis had not been resolved.

The opposition, which boycotted the sitting, said the approval was illegal as it was against the constitution.

Maldives police arrested at least another four opposition members under state of emergency laws for protesting against Yameen's government, the opposition said on February 27.

Police arrested at least 139 opposition protesters, its spokesman said on March 17, as they attempted to defy orders under the state of emergency and march into the high security zone in the capital Male.

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom served as president of the Maldives for three decades. /VCG Photo

Yameen is battling to stay in power, Nasheed hopes to challenge him in elections due later in 2018, and Gayoom, Yameen’s half-brother who had ruled the country for 30 years until 2008, has allied himself with the opposition.

Nasheed was forced out of office in 2012, lost an election to Yameen in 2013 and was controversially jailed in 2015 on terrorism charges. He currently lives in exile in Sri Lanka, but the Supreme Court verdict in theory allows him to return to the Maldives.

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Source(s): Reuters