Pro-China candidate wins Maldives elections
3 Min Read
Mohamed Muizzu's victory is anticipated to bring about a change in the country's association with its long-standing partner, India, as his party oversaw a substantial increase in Chinese loans during their previous tenure.
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Maldives' main opposition candidate Mohamed Muiz participates in a rally as he concludes his campaign for the second round of the presidential election in the capital Male, Maldives, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP)
In the Maldives' presidential election on Saturday, Mohamed Muizzu, who is known for his pro-China stance, emerged as the winner with 54.06% of the vote in the run-off competition.
His victory is anticipated to bring about a change in the country's association with its long-standing partner, India, as his party oversaw a substantial increase in Chinese loans during their previous tenure.
This shift is of relevance due to the fact that China and India have been at odds over the Sino-Indian border dispute.
In response to the election results, the incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih conceded defeat.
"Congratulations to president-elect Muizzu," Solih wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "I also congratulate the people who have shown a peaceful and democratic process."
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Muizzu briefly addressed supporters outside his party's campaign headquarters, asking them to postpone celebrations until campaign restrictions officially end on Sunday.
Incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will serve as interim president until the new president is inaugurated on November 17.
This election outcome hinders Solih's efforts to realign the country's diplomatic orientation toward New Delhi.
Muizzu played a key role in a previous government's development project, partly financed by China's Belt and Road initiative, and he emphasized during a meeting in 2022 with Chinese Communist Party officials that his party's return to power would strengthen ties between the two nations.
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Mohamed Muizzu expressed his desire to bring together the Indian Ocean archipelago following contentious elections in which the pro-Beijing leader pledged to recalibrate relations with New Delhi.
"No matter their political affiliation, they are all Maldivian citizens in front of me," Muizzu told supporters after his win late Saturday.
"They are entitled to the same rights. They are entitled to equality in everything."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Muizzu on Sunday by tweeting that New Delhi is "committed to strengthening the time-tested India-Maldives bilateral relationship."
The Maldives, a group of atolls situated 800 kilometers (500 miles) across the equator, is more renowned for its luxurious beach resorts. However, it occupies a strategically significant location, positioned along one of the world's busiest east-west shipping routes.
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