Editorial - Maldives Dictator Gayyoom's next move :: Dhivehi Observer

Editorial
Dictator Gayyoom's next move

By A. S. I. Moosa (Sappe'), 23rd August 2005

Maldives is a very small country even in absolute terms. In terms of territory, population and wealth but it is a sovereign nation that has existed for hundreds if not thousands of years. As a member of the United Nation, it also enjoys the great many benefits of being a member of the global community. It is therefore essential that Maldives play by the rules of the world, in dealing with it's people and providing them with life's essential needs, after all, each country and it's wealth (as well as it's debt) belongs to it's people and not just to those who govern it.

For far too long, the world has not been aware of the crimes 'the Maldives Dictator' has been committing against his own people. Running a virtual police state and oppressing all forms of dissent with full control over media and the judiciary. Gayyoom has been able to run the Maldives as a machine that provides him and his family with a life style that an average Maldivian can only dream about.

Today, however, the perception of Maldives as a holiday haven is no more. The 'World's Secret Dictatorship' as referred by the BBC is now fully exposed and the international community is trying it's level best to ensure that the country becomes a full fledge democracy. However, Gayyoom has yet to come to terms with this fact and thinks that he can still get away with murder.

The advances in information technology over the past 15 years has meant that oppressive regimes are no longer able to control the flow of information as they wish to. With internet and ease of communication such mobile phones and digital cameras, challenging such regimes and exposing them is a simple job now. However, Gayyoom still thinks that he can manipulate the people and spread his propaganda amongst the people and convince them that he is the best man for the job when he is the worst at it.

Fortunately for those of us who wish see the back of him (which is certainly the great majority of the Maldivians), we will be seeing just that in the very near future. Although foreign governments like to try and workout a solution with governments, we now know that Gayyoom is unable to give up the powers of the judiciary and that of the legislature which means that there is only one solution and that is his resignation forced upon by a popular uprising supported by the international community.

What Gayyoom and his cronies must realise now is that something that is legal or rather a constitutional right of a people cannot be called an illegal act just because he feels like it or thinks it is the easy way out. Those days are gone now.