MALE, Feb. 9, 2018
Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen said the affairs of the nation must stay within the Maldivians and it was their responsibility to uphold the honour and reputation of the island nation, a statement from the President’s Office said here Thursday.
Yameen said the country belonged to all Maldivians, and the country’s honour, the government, or the Maldivian lands were not up for sale.
Meanwhile, the Maldivian government, in a separate statement said it had sent three cabinet ministers as special envoys to China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, to provide updates on the current situation in the Maldives.
Maldives has been plunged into a political crisis following last week’s Supreme Court ruling ordering the release of nine opposition leaders including self exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed.
On Monday night, the president declared a 15-day state of emergency. Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed were arrested shortly after the state of emergency was declared, on charges of plotting to overthrow the government.
Yameen, in his address to the nation on Tuesday, accused the chief justice of being bribed to issue last week’s court order, in a bid to overthrow the government.
The Supreme Court rescinded its landmark ruling late Tuesday.
