In his first public address in the early hours of Monday, Maldives’s President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said: “The will of the people has spoken.” “For many of us it has been a difficult journey. A journey that led to a prison cell, or years in exile. It’s been a journey that led to the complete politicisation and breakdown of public institutions. But it has been a journey that has ended in the ballot box because the people willed it.” Supporters of Mr. Solih celebrated all through Sunday night and on Monday. Mr. Solih, 54, had earlier pledged to open investigations into the disappearance of journalist Ahmed Rilwan, and murder of dissident blogger Yameen Rashed, and promised press freedom. Countries that had strained relations with the Abdullah Yameen administration were quick to welcome the poll outcome on Monday, before Mr. Yameen conceded and ahead of the Elections Commission’s official announcement. The U.S. said it looked forward to “a peaceful transition of power”. “This election marks not only the triumph of democratic forces in the Maldives, but also reflects the firm commitment to the values of democracy and the rule of law,” the Indian Foreign Ministry said.
Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/end-of-a-difficult-journey-in-maldives-solih/article25032960.ece
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