Calm returns to Male: Maldivian HC
The Maldivian High Commissioner to Colombo, Hussain Shihab said that calm has returned to the streets of Male, as new President Mohamed Wahid is in consultation to set up a National Unity Cabinet to replace the Cabinet of ousted President Mohamed Nasheed.
Pro-nasheed protesters had taken to the streets after he was forced out of office on Wednesday, clashing with Police, leaving many injured.
High Commissioner Shihab said that, both the Commonwealth and the Uni- ted Nations (UN) representatives are in Male, as well as a special envoy from India, to oversee developments in the country.
“The new President is meeting with members from all parties, and an announcement on the new Cabinet should come over the weekend,” High Commissioner Shihab told the Sunday Times. Meanwhile, a small group of supporters of ousted Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed gathered opposite the Maldivian High Commis
sion in Colombo on Fri- day, to protest against the President’s removal.
Many were wearing yellow shirts and carrying yellow flags to symbolise the colour of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) of President Nasheed, which took power in 2008, bringing to an end the 30-year old rule of Mohamed Abdul Gayoom. Some carried placards condemning the ousting of the President.
There was also a heavy presence of police personnel who cordoned off the entrance to the High Commission.