Can India help democratise Maldives by protecting a 28 year old brutal dictatorship? :: Maldives News :: Dhivehi Observer

Editorial

Can India help democratise Maldives by protecting a 28 year old brutal dictatorship?

By Editor in Chief, A. S. I. Moosa (Sappe'), 26 October 2006

It sounds ironic; in fact, it is a joke that Dictator Gayyoom's special propagandist, Dr. Shaheed is begging India to help bring democracy to the Maldives. He is asking India to protect the most brutal dictator we have ever seen in our history. He is asking India, the largest democracy in the world, to protect a tyrant who has been ruling our country with guns, without any regard for human rights and the rule of law.

After more than 25 years of absolute dictatorship and iron fist rule, Gayyoom was forced to announce a reform package in 2004, as a result of growing opposition locally coupled with international pressure. Two years have passed and nothing has been delivered. Sadly, as in the past, India has always turned a blind eye to the pleas of the Maldivian people despite being the largest democracy in the world, and our closes neighbour India does nothing to bring democracy to the Maldives. On the contrary, time and time again, India has flexed its military muscle in aid of this murderous regime and continues to do so

The upcoming November 10th event being organised by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is sending shockwaves through the regime and they are obviously desperate to get India's assistance in salvaging their power and maintain the brutal system in place. Experts believe that if more than 20,000 people converge in Male' and protest for democratic change, then Gayyoom's worst fears will be realized and Maldives will be liberated from this oppressive regime.

Public opinion in Maldives on our closest neighbour has never been as low as it has been in the past couple of years. This is mainly because India has not done anything to help bring any kind of democracy to our country when India is naturally the best and most strategic position to do so. There is no doubt that public opinion will further deteriorate if India does anything to help destroy the aspirations of the Maldivian people and continue to protect Gayyoom.

Gayyoom has no support from any other country in the region now apart from India, nor does he have any support in Europe or America. Hence, this visit by Dr. Shaheed to India is seen by many analysts in the Maldives as Gayyoom's last desperate attempt to hold on to power. And, despite mounting evidence on the close negotiations Gayyoom has had with the Chinese over the past few years, Dr. Shaheed is now dismissing the Gayyoom-China relationship and is seen to be advising the Defence Minister of India instead to the amazement of a great many political analysts.

Wake up India; you are protecting a murderous regime that has systematically destroyed our country. Match your words with action and show the world what India stands for. Are you not the largest democracy in the world?