New president replaces autocratic leader in Maldives

MALE, Maldives – Ibrahim Mohamed Solih took office as president of the Maldives on Saturday following a violent political discord provoked by the autocratic regime of outgoing leader Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Thousands of people applauded Solih, of the Maldivian Democratic Party, during a swearing-in ceremony at a football stadium chosen to accommodate a large number of his supporters. Chief Justice Abdulla Didi was sworn in for Solih, 54.

The Maldives, an archipelago of the Indian Ocean known for its luxury resorts, became a multiparty democracy in 2008.

Since being elected in 2013, Yameen has cracked down on political dissent, jailed rivals and Supreme Court justices. But he suffered an unexpected defeat against Solih in the September presidential election.

Neighboring India is concerned about China's growing influence over Yameen, which has signed a series of infrastructure projects with Beijing.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the highest foreign dignitary to attend Saturday's ceremony. Modi is trying to restore bilateral relations that have suffered under the Yameen regime.

Solih faces a daunting task of balancing his ties with powerful India and China. It will also have to fight against widespread corruption and the rise of Islamist extremism.

Comment this story

Yameen's attempt to cling to power was overturned by the Supreme Court, which dismissed his motion to quash the election result. His party contested the result, alleging electoral fraud, fraud and corruption in the electoral process.

Solih had been chosen as the opposition candidate in July after former exiled president Mohamed Nasheed abandoned his plan to run for a criminal conviction that made him ineligible. On Saturday, he attended Solih's swearing-in ceremony after returning from exile to London and Colombo, the capital of neighboring Sri Lanka.