Summary UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday urged all sides to unite in Maldives.
NEW YORK CITY (AFP) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday urged all sides to unite in Maldives, now that the nation has elected a new leader after nearly two years of violence and strife.
New Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen was sworn in on Sunday, one day after his shock election victory ended nearly two years of turmoil that threatened to turn the honeymoon island nation into an international pariah.
"The Secretary-General welcomes the conclusion of the run-off of the presidential election in the Maldives," Ban said in a statement released by his office.
The statement added that the UN leader "strongly urges all political leaders, state institutions and the Maldivian people to work urgently toward genuine reconciliation and to advance the country s democratic process through long-term institutional reforms, in particular strengthening the judiciary and accountability mechanisms, and promoting a national dialogue."
Ban also had words of praise for the conduct of the polls.
"Once again, the people of the Maldives have turned out to vote in impressive numbers, showing their determination to choose their next president, despite the many obstacles and delays."
He called on the new administration "to engage the opposition in a constructive manner and to lead the country in the interest of all Maldivians."
