ByNiharika Mandhana
The arrest of two Supreme Court judges and a former president brought a simmering Maldives political crisis to a boil, sparking calls for the international community to step in to stem the turmoil in the island nation best known as a tourist hot spot.
The three men, including the chief justice of the country’s Supreme Court, were arrested after President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom declared a state of emergency late Monday, giving authorities broad powers. His steps to tighten control came in response to an order from the Supreme Court last week for the release and retrial of nine prisoners, among them Mr. Yameen’s fiercest political opponents. The court’s decision led to demonstrations by opposition parties. Three Maldives Supreme Court justices on Tuesday annulled their own order to free the opposition politicians.
The most high-profile convict on the court’s list was Mohamed Nasheed, who was elected president in 2008 when the country made a leap toward democracy after three decades of autocratic rule. He later received political asylum in the U.K., and his supporters hope for his return to the Maldives, paving the way for a run for office.........To Read More....
My Take - Geopolitical Futures added the Maldives to their Watch List saying:
"Most media agencies are talking about the political crisis in the Maldives. Should we? Yes, some opposition figures have called for Indian intervention. Yes, Chinese media reacted negatively to this proposition. But so far, the reactions from both sides have been measured, and this is important only if they intervene. It's worth monitoring for signs of intervention."
Which of course made me wonder why either India or China care?
Their economy, as far as I can tell, is based on fishing and tourism. Because of the lack of cultivable land agriculture plays a small part in their economy, and they don't have the land or labor force to develop any real manufacturing base. What they have would be better categorized as cottage industries.
What's to be gained by either of these countries for being involved in this?
I guess we'll have to wait and see, but no matter what happens – events in this tiny nation of less than half a million people and 26 atolls covering about 115 square miles should have little meaning to the rest of the world.
These islands haven’t any resources anyone needs and isn't in a position to bother their neighbors because they don't have any. Nor do they have the capacity to attack anyone. The picture to the right is the Malhosmadulhu Atoll as seen from space, which is just one of the atolls making up this patchwork "nation" of small spots of land in the ocean.
So, once again - why does anyone care?
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