Yameen govt invites int'l organisations to visit Maldives to

Facing flak for imposing emergency, the Maldives said today that it was done to address certain "internal aspects of governance", and invited its development partners and representatives from international organisations to visit the country to assess the situation.
Maldivian foreign ministry issued a statement, saying that the government wishes to assure the international community that despite imposition of emergency, no curfew has been imposed and general movement of people, services and businesses will not be affected.
The State of Emergency addresses certain internal aspects of governance and affects mostly the capital island Male, and not tourist resorts, tourist islands and tourism in general, the statement said.

"The Maldives would like to invite its development partners and representatives from international organisations and associations to visit the Maldives to assess the situation in the Maldives and witness the safety and security of Male, for their own citizens as well as to engage with the government and key stakeholders in the country," it said.
It also said that life in the Maldives continues as normal with all places of work, businesses, schools, government and social services, travel, including all domestic and international airports, and leisure facilities all remaining fully open and operational.
The picturesque Indian Ocean archipelago, which has seen a number of political crisis since the ouster of its first democratically-elected president Mohamed Nasheed in 2012, plunged into a political chaos on Thursday last when the apex court ordered the release of nine imprisoned opposition politicians, maintaining that their trials were "politically motivated and flawed".

The nine political leaders included Nasheed.

The Yameen government refused to implement the ruling, prompting a wave of protests in Maldives capital, Male.
Following clashes and protests, the Yameen government imposed the emergency, evoking concerns from the international community.
While India and China issued travel advisories, the US asked the Yameen government to abide by the SC decision.
However, late last night Maldives' Supreme Court revoked the order to release nine high-profile political prisoners.