Maldives is in 'Running' Hands?

When the atolls are gripped with a protest mood and where there is general frenzy and apprehension amongst people about the coming protest, it was rather surprising (and disheartening) to see such news items:

• President Yameen visiting China
• Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon visiting Qatar
• Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb visiting Thailand (where else!!)

Only the naïve will take it as merely a coincidence.

And the most naïve will try to project it as 'indifference' of the leadership towards the coming protest.

The Big question is Why?

For political asylum!!

Yameen, sources close to him reveal, has single objective in mind. He has to secure a place for him run to as and when Nasheed comes out of the forced imprisonment, which is imminent sooner or latter. In today's pro-democracy sentiment running world-over (though hardly practiced), it is very difficult for any dictator to obtain asylum except in dictatorial regimes. This narrows down the choices for Yameen.

Barring countries in Middle East and few places in Africa, only North Korea, China and Russia can offer asylum to Yameen. Russia is itself struggling with foreign sanctions and would not like to invite more adversaries. Kim Jr. of N-Korea is is no better place. That leaves only Middle East and China as any viable option. Middle East is presently one of the biggest security hazard except few Gulf nations, most prominent being Qattar.

And that is why the top leaders are in Qatar and China.

(As mentioned earlier, Adheeb is in Thailand for personal reasons only ;)

PS: At the time of writing, inputs have started percolating in media that Qatar is not so forthcoming for giving asylum to Yameen. That would leave China as only suitable destination.

There seems to be golden opportunity is someone wants to open Chinese language classes !!