EU's decision: is it a win for the Maldives president?

Despite 'high' expectations, we only saw the European Union Council adopting a 'framework' for targeted sanctions against rights abusers in the Maldives on Monday.

Yes, it allows the EU to impose travel bans and targeted sanctions against those responsible 'for undermining the rule of law or obstructing an inclusive political solution in Maldives as well as [individuals] responsible for serious human rights violations', if the government does not take the necessary steps to improve the situation.

Maldivian government officials have accused the international community, including the European Union, of working together with the country's opposition.

Just last night, President Abdulla Yameen's biggest lobbyist in the international arena Dr. Mohamed Shainee said that the EU has been working with the opposition in its continued efforts against the government.

President Yameen, whenever he speaks regarding the concerns expressed by EU, focuses on religion having even accused it of working to spread other religions in the country. This seems more like a tactic used to spread anger towards the European Union, as the country remaining a 100 percent Muslim nation is important for a majority of the population.

While he maintains this, opposition leader and former President Mohamed Nasheed- who is accused of working to spread other religions in the county with the assistance of the international community- has also come out and said that Maldivians do not accept its calls for religious freedom in the country.

The incumbent President also accused EU officials of listening to the opposition and ignoring the government's explanations.

Shainee is currently in Brussels, Belgium. While he himself had indicated that there is no changing the minds of the EU officials, is Monday's decision a win for President Yameen and his allies? Or were there scared by comments such as EU imposing sanction on Maldives will end up being negative to the organization, as declared by pro-government lawmaker Jameel Usman? Or was it the comparison to antichrist that scared them off, as made by a deputy minister at the home ministry who claims that the reason for sanctions is because President Yameen refuses to allow them to spread any other religions, as well as because he intends to implement the death penalty.

While Monday's decision certainly is more of a 'last warning' to the country, it gives the incumbent president time; which is something he has always used wisely, just look at what happened four days after February's controversial state of emergency.

So, is Monday's decision a win for President Yameen and his allies? Minister Shainee and his supporters are rejoicing on social media, thanking the President for getting rid of the 'intruders' that are 'threatening' the country.