Maldivian Defence Ministry just now issued a statement to media stating that they do not have any intention of arresting former President and opposition leader Qayoom. However, the media statement did not clarify whether President Nasheed has issued executive orders to the MNDF for Qayoom's immediate arrest. Military sources report that international pressure has forced Nasheed to recind his previous order. Defence Minister Amin Faisal denied all knowledge of any imminent arrest. However, this raises the question of who is in command of the police force as acting Home Minister Amin Faisal is explicitly denying any knowledge of arrests.
As almost seven months pass since President Mohamed Nasheed took power in the Maldives, Maldivian citizens despair of ever seeing the much promised improvements in their livelihoods. The state treasury has been exhausted within this brief period, and the economy has declined to an extent worse than the aftermath of the 2004 Asian Tsunami. Escalating price of consumer goods, collapse of social services, increasing food insecurity and declining real income have thrown more people below the poverty line. While President Nasheed is engrossed in his hate and persecution campaign against political opponents, his government has ground to a halt. The Nasheed administration came into power promising reduced expenditures, increased government revenue and a clamp down on corruption in top government circles. President Nasheed’s first budget (2009) has a 7 billion deficit (nearly 5 billion more than the previous administration’s last budget, and government revenue has fallen by more than 28% since...