China to stand in between UN action against Maldives

The government’s favoured diplomatic partner as of late, China, has taken a stand against international intervention in Maldives’ ongoing political tension.

Geng Shuang, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, is quoted as having said that China has offered to mediate the situation in the Maldives.

“China is willing to maintain close communication with relevant parties on the situation in the Maldives so as to restore the normal order as soon as possible” Geng Shuang is reported to have said to the Hindustan Times.

China, with which the government signed over a dozen landmark agreements last year, has said that it would be best if relevant parties in the country engage in constructive dialogue that results in the situation being resolved internally.

These comments come at a time when opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed called on India and the United States to support the nation by sending a military-supported diplomatic envoy and straining government finances.

While these comments have been criticized and condemned as ‘irresponsible’, avenues for peaceful reconciliation have effectively been closed off, as those who defend Nasheed say and he himself highlighted, having said that ‘internally resolving the situation’ could lead to revolt and eventual chaos.

While the Chinese government has expressed its discontent over the idea of the United Nations intervening in Maldives’ precarious political situation, the security council is to reportedly discuss the government’s decision to declare a state of national emergency.

Though the authority vested in the President’s Office from the state of emergency has allowed President Abdulla Yameen to have two Supreme Court justices arrested.

Although the validity of the declaration itself has been questioned, given that there are processes that needed to be completed before it could be set in place that the government has yet to do.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed concern that the government had arrested Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Hameed, after having forcefully entered the Supreme Court premises and called for their release.

This echoes sentiments from the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, India, and Sri Lanka as well. A number of countries have even updated their travel advisories to caution citizens about the ongoing conflict in the Maldives.