Maldives News | Dhivehi Observer | South Asia | The Role of the Internet in the Demolition of the Maldives Dictatorship

Editorial

The Role of the Internet in the Demolition of the Maldives Dictatorship

A.S.I. Moosa (Sappe'), Editor-in-Chief, Dhivehi Observer, 27 January 2008

Dictators are a dying breed now. Across the globe, over the past couple of centuries, we have seen numerous dictatorial regimes being replaced by democratic governments. Of course, it is never easy to confront a dictator or destroy their power. But time and time again, we have witnessed that when a population is united in its endeavour to bring about change, no dictator can survive for long. Just regard what happened to dictators from Chile, Philippines, Indonesia, former Yugoslavia, Romania and most recently Saddam Hussain of Iraq. They were all powerful dictators, who ran their nations with an iron fist, without any regard for the rule of law or respect for human life. Where are they now?

In comparison to the above dictators, the 'Demented' one in the Maldives has limited powers, mostly due to limited resources. Although, in comparative terms, he is just as brutal as the others for imprisonment and torture is his modus operandi to hang on to power. Public funds are endemically used to provide himself and his family a lifestyle that is way beyond the means of the country and which take precedence over public services.

In the early days of this campaign to bring democracy to the Maldives, back in 2004, many were sceptical about its success. They believed that it would be an impossible task to get rid of Gayyoom, that he was too powerful, financially and militarily. Their apprehension was understandable then. Even now, there are a handful of people who might subscribe to this view. But, compared to the fallen dictators of the recent past, Gayyoom is nothing but a mere bed-bug. Despite the wealth and power, dictators have been deposed and rule of law established in many nations. There is no reason why we cannot do the same in the Maldives.

Let me ask those of you who still doubt that we will not be able to get rid of him. You see the Maldives of 2004 and the Maldives today. How did we manage to get to this position if this is such an Almighty Dictator? We had no wealth nor did we have any military power. We just had the power of the modern information technology, most obviously the power of the internet. And that is the tool we used to chip at his armour day by day.

Media is one of the most powerful elements of any society. If a dictator controls the media, he can maintain his grip on power. If the media is free and the public is informed, then there can be no room for a dictator to come to power. Dictator Gayyoom succeeded in securing total control over the Maldives media for 25 years. In the first 5 terms, no one was able to criticise him or any of his policies, without paying a hefty price for it. Despite the fact that the president is supposed to be selected by a public referendum, the 'Demented One' did not allow anyone to campaign against him. One word out of place and you can be rest assured of solitary confinement, without charge or a trial. TV and Radio were owned and operated by the government and all the main print media were owned and managed by his cronies. Those who dared to write or criticise him in the public were practically caste aside, most by imprisonment and torture and a few by bribery and favouritism.

On 19th September 2003, a dozen policemen beat Evan Naseem to death in Maafushi jail. The next day, several of his colleagues were shot to death with AK-47 assault rifles from close range when they protested against his murder. Local media was forced to refrain from reporting these brutal events but within hours of the incidents, the internet was packed full with images and reports of this heinous crime. Few weeks later, powerful international media giants like the BBC reported the case and the extent of human rights abuse in the Maldives, which was previously kept well hidden from the eyes of the international community. Internet websites such as Dhivehi Observer, formerly www.e-maldives.com, were launched. And, despite several desperate attempts to control and block the information from reaching the general public, Gayyoom failed to have any impact on the movement and very quickly began crumbling. Just a few months later, he announced the so-called 'Sweeping Reform Agenda' and tried to appease both the international community and the Maldivian people. However, the continued flow of information meant that the people began to realize their potential and their rights. They demanded democratic changes to be brought about in real terms rather than cosmetically. Soon, people power emerged. People began protesting in their thousands and forced Gayyoom to bring about real change, albeit slowly.

Today, it's a whole new ball game. Today the Dictator is cornered and desperately fighting to stay in power, whilst the opposition movement is gaining ground on a daily basis. Today there are locally registered newspapers and magazines that operate freely. Today journalists are confident that the dictator can no longer lock them up indefinitely for being critical of him or his regime. Today, there are private radio stations, who report both sides of the story. And, unlike before, the dictator has had to shuffle his cabinet almost twice a year in this term, compared to none in his first 25 years. More ministers have resigned from his cabinet in the last 6 months than in the first 25 years of his regime. Today he is no more the Finance and Defence Minister of our country. Today, the police and military are two separate entities. Today there are half a dozen political parties, who are able to force the regime to bring about real democratic reform.
We did not need financial or military power to bring down this 'bed-bug' class dictator. We just needed a whole lot of talent, self discipline, determination and the optimum use of the modern information superhighway. Mobile communication technology was all that was needed, especially the internet to inform and educate people of their basic rights.

The Dictator is now getting ever closer to being history. Let us not forget that we can do it if we are determined enough. We can bring this change. We are the change. Let us together write this glorious chapter of Maldivian history – that for the first time in our history we are the generation that brought true democracy to the Maldives.

We can do it.

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