Mohamed Muizzou. Mohamed Sharuhaan / AP
Political situation in the Maldives
Pro-China candidate becomes new president of Maldives
Mohamed Muizzu is on course to win the presidential election in the Maldives, local media reports according to Reuters.
Muizzu, who challenged incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, won the first round of elections in early September by a few percentage points. It was not enough for a decision, and the election went to a second round.
The shift in power means that the island nation is now likely to turn away from India and towards China. Solih advocated an "India first" policy, while Muizzu promised closer ties to and China campaigned on the "India out" election message. He has promised to throw out the Indian military stationed in the country.
Queues at the polling station in the Maldives. Mohamed Sharuhaan / AP
The change of power a strategic win for Beijing
Mohamed Muizzu's victory in the Maldives presidential election is a strategic win for China. The island nation is located in the middle of the Indian Ocean on one of the world's busiest shipping lanes between East and West, writes AFP.
Muizzu's party approached Beijing during his last term, receiving large sums of money under China's sweeping "One Belt, One Road" trade and infrastructure project.
His mentor, former President Abdulla Yameen, borrowed heavily from China for construction projects and was hostile to India. Dissatisfaction with his increasingly authoritarian rule, and accusations of plunging the country into a Chinese debt trap, saw pro-India candidate Solih elected in 2018.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar