:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

His Excellency Abdulla Hameed, President of the Republic of Maldives

Mariyam Mohamed, Male', 11^th August 2004

President Gayyoom and mighty powerful brother Hameed, the Speaker of the Majlis in an opening ceremony of the Parliament

When Mohamed Ameen Didi went for his medicals during the last days of his long rule, he had almost completely discredited Velaanaagey Ibrahim Didi who was his deputy in every sense. He repeatedly alleged that Ibrahim Didi will be fine as long as he has young boys on his side. He further elaborated saying that Ibrahim Didi has very little knowledge of economics and therefore Hilihilaagey Moosa Did would be more appropriate as his deputy.

Soon after Ameen Didi left, Ibrahim Did made use of the opportunity and ousted Ameen Didi.

Ibrahim Didi and Ameen Didi, although they were not blood brothers, are cousins and grew up in adjacent house holds.

Gayoom has discredited Abdulla Hameed to the same extent or perhaps more than Ameen Didi ever did to Ibrhaim Didi. Unlike Ameen Didi and Ibrahim Didi, Gayoom and Hameed have almost no childhood memories of them running around their household as they lived all their lives on different lands. Gayoom in Egypt and Hameed living the hard life in Male’.

Unconfirmed reports say that Hameed is attempting to oust Gayoom through a no confidence motion in the Parliament. Hameed, unlike Ibrahim Didi, it has been said, lacks the loyalty of the crowds on the street. Hameed like Ibrahim Didi feels that he can get the tactical backing of the activists on the street. With this and Hameed’s loyalists in the Parliament can oust Gayoom.

Political analysts are unable to understand the unfolding events in the present Maldvies. Most reformist MP’s still feel that the government holds enough power to arrest the reformers and are being unnecessarily cautious. The MP’s are increasingly loosing touch with the people out on the streets. The people on the other hand have such higher expectations and absolutely no faith in Gayoom or his professed reform process. The MP’s can not now call the shots in Male’. Whatever work that the MP’s intend to do in the Special Majlis is becoming increasing irrelevant.

The lessons of history indicate that given the present crisis in the succession to power, Gayoom has lost control and his hold on the presidency. Hameed in his turn must understand that in the present-day political situation it will be the newly awakened citizens of Maldives who hold the key to our future. The elite must now accept the changes that keep on evolving and the new turn that the waves of freedom have taken. Perhaps, it may not be inaccurate to say that the Elite’s days are now over. The people have spoken.

H. E. Abdulla Hameed, the President of Maldives..... Imagine that?