Ex President Yameen calls for public referendum regarding alleged Indian Military presence in Maldives

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom during "India Out" campaign | Photo: Dhiyares

Malé, Maldives – The Opposition leader and recently acquitted former President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom has called on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to hold a referendum on the course of action regarding the alleged Indian military presence in the Maldives.

The former President said this while on a campaign across Kaafu Atoll to promote the “India Out” campaign. The movement calls to remove the alleged Indian military presence in the Maldives and cancel all agreements with India destructive to the sovereignty of the island nation.

While the former President Yameen has called to “India Out” the Speaker of the Maldives Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has refuted the campaign.

The role of India in the Maldives and the role of Maldives in the Indian ocean is not mistaken by the Maldivian people. We cannot say “India Out.”

Mohamed Nasheed

Referring to former President Nasheed’s campaign to implement a parliamentary governance system, opposition leader Yameen urged the incumbent government to hold a referendum to remove Indian troops from Maldivian soil instead.