Victory for democracy

An autocrat cedes power in the Maldives

The peaceful election of an opposition leader as president of the Maldives is a victory for that archipelago nation’s fragile democracy, and it bodes well for Western nations hoping to temper China’s influence in South Asia and counter Islamic extremism there.

Now, the U.S. should seize the opportunity to strengthen relations with the Maldives, the smallest country in Asia, perhaps by offering the kinds of development incentives China has provided in recent years.

A week ago, opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih defeated the incumbent president, Abdulla Yameen, with about 58 percent of the vote. Turnout approached 90 percent, evidence that Maldivian citizens realized that the fate of their 10year-old democracy was at stake.

Mr. Yameen has ruled in autocratic style, jailing opponents, cracking down on the media and bullying the judiciary, so there was legitimate concern that he would not accept the election results. Perhaps Mr. Yameen saw the writing on the wall — Mr. Solih asserted that the police “were with the people” — because he conceded graciously the following day.

Mr. Solih has made a good first impression. He comported himself well during the uncertain hours following his victory and quickly tweeted his support for press freedom and the rollback of an “anti-defamation law” that Mr. Yameen has used to bridle dissent.

Mr. Solih is expected to reorient the Maldives toward India, its historical ally. Under Mr. Yameen, the nation has moved closer to China and accepted about $2 billion for infrastructure projects. To advance its military and commercial interests, China also has pumped money into other South Asian nations.

The U.S. and its allies should make the most of the opportunity to tie the Maldives closer to the West. The process should involve offsetting China’s lingering influence with economic incentives of their own, while working with Mr. Solih to tamp down the Islamic extremism — as many as 200 Maldivians are fighting for the Islamic State — that’s gone unchecked under Mr. Yameen.

The Maldives are a small country with outsize importance. The people there have voted emphatically for democracy, and the U.S. should embrace all of the possibilities that entails.