Nasheed departs to Sri Lanka to present his views on power transfer on 7 feb to int'l community

MDP reports that their Spiritual Leader for Life Mohamed Nasheed has departed to Sri Lanka this morning, along with top MDP leaders and former cabinet ministers, in order to present the international community with his view on the transfer of power between himself and his VP Mohamed Waheed. 

Following a night of protests by police officers against what they claimed to be were unlawful orders, Nasheed resigned as President on February 7th. Upon his resignation, his VP Waheed assumed the presidency through the constitutionally dictated procedures. However, hours after his resignation by hand, Nasheed claimed that he resigned due to a military coup with 18 guns pointed at his head. He claimed that President Waheed had been integral part of the "coup" which brought Waheed to power. Nasheed has called for Dr. Waheed to resign and to give way for an early election, to elect what he calls a "legitimate" President for the country. His party, MDP, has been rioting on the streets since February 7th, in support of Nasheed's claims.

Nasheed's allegations of a coup have been denied by Dr. Waheed and the military. Dr. Waheed has put together a National Inquiry Commission to investigate the charge and other allegations and counter allegations regarding events during the period January 14th to February 8th. The international community has largely been in favor of such an investigation specifically into the transfer of power, together with international participation. Both the Commonwealth and EU have supported Nasheed's call for an early election.

The capital Male' has been in turmoil since mid January, with nightly protests from one party or the other. Little progress is seen on the political front for bringing a peaceful resolution to the country's political turmoil, with MDP and other parties at loggerheads on several issues. Meanwhile, President Waheed continues to appoint members of his government, admitting that his appointees are all from political parties which support him.