Simply Not True, Sweeping Reform and the Road Map :: Maldives News :: Dhivehi Observer

Editorial

Simply Not True, Sweeping Reform and the Road Map

By A. S. I. Moosa (Sappe'), 28 February 2006

Let us recap on what is happening in our country. Gayyoom came to power in 1978 amidst a controversial power shifting arrangement manipulated by a few in powerful posts at the time. However, we all know that it was a setup and it was not the will of the people. We also know that Gayyoom and his associates were in possession of illegal firearms at the time he took oath of office, which renders his whole reign illegitimate. However, it was the beginning of an almost 3 decade old dictatorship, characterised by total oppression and marred in nepotism and corruption.

Gayyoom was never really challenged by a credible force until recently. There were some incidents and attempts to oust him, from as early as 1980 and the coup attempt of 1988. Other than that, there were just critical voices, all of whom were shutdown by Gayyoom and thrown into his cages in prisons.

Fate was to catch up with him anyway. Whilst enjoying the riches of the world and portraying himself as a God King, things were getting out of hand within important institutions. On the eve of 19th September 2003, Evan Naseem, an inmate at Maafushi jail was beaten to death by Gayyoom's security forces in what is now known as a revenge attack. The next morning, Evan's friends staged a protest and demanded to know why he was so savagely and brutally murdered. Unrest began inside the jail and the only way Gayyoom could bring things under his control was by using lethal weapon. Unarmed protestors, inmates in Maafushi jail, were shot from close range, resulting in more than 3 deaths and over a dozen serious injuries.

As it happens, Gayyoom and his cronies tried their best to hide the truth from the people and blamed everyone else but himself. However, the public was having none of it and they demanded justice. Riots and unrest began in Male' resulting in several government building being torched, including police stations, old parliament building and election office as well as the high court building. Once the incidents were over, one could feel that the bubble was just about to burst and that public anger and outrage will not been contained for any longer.

In October 2003, Gayyoom was going for his 6th consecutive referendum after a process of divine selection from a parliament which worships him. As expected Gayyoom came home dry and was endorsed by the people in a referendum that is nothing but an orchestrated campaign in which anti-Gayyoom sentiments are seen as acts of treason and a crime against state, let alone organise a ‘NO' campaign as in most democracies.

Although Gayyoom thought that he was safe and secure, world media took notice of the situation in Maldives resulting in a special report by the BBC, followed by dissidents launching a formal opposition movement from exile. As expected, when asked about the oppression, torture and human rights abuses in the Maldives, Gayyoom's answer was 'simply not true'

Pressure grew on him to please the international community and after recommendations from a public relations firm from UK, Hill and Knowlton, Gayyoom launched his 'sweeping reform' agenda. Opposition and political analysts were sceptical and agreed that this was Gayyoom buying time and appeasing the people so that he could remain in power till the end of his 6th term, until 2008. It was also designed to marginalised the opposition movement and render them irrelevant.

Almost two years is approaching since he convened the constitutional assembly to supposedly amend the constitution in accordance with his 'sweeping reform' agenda. However, scepticism was well founded and nothing has really happened in terms of constitutional reform. But, to add to that Gayyoom has been using cheap tactics such as asking his members in the parliament, including 29 appointed members in the assembly and those whom he bribes with soft loans and favours, as well as those who are loyal to him for various other reasons, not to attend assembly meetings, if the agenda was to remove some of the unfair powers and influence Gayyoom has in the whole process. A perfect example of this was the recent incident where more than 61 members were absent from a session last week, which was supposed to discuss eliminating appointed members from the constitutional assembly, something Gayyoom himself proposed in his 'sweeping reform' agenda yet, is not prepared to see it through now. As it happens so often, yesterday Gayyoom decided by himself that the item will not be included in the agenda of the meeting scheduled for tomorrow.

A week later, when people at large have all come to believe that Gayyoom was never sincere about bringing real change to the country, he comes up with yet another tantalising terminology 'road map'. Apparently it will be published soon outlining how his ‘simply not true reform agenda via the road map' will be realised.

Sadly though, the country is in chaos now, politically, socially and economically. Gayyoom is incapable of comprehending the fact that it is now time for him to step down and let a new generation of leaders emerge through a proper democratic system with a vision to providing protection and liberty to the people of Maldives. Gayyoom and his cronies have raped our nation of its wealth, traditions and even its glamour and the vast majority of people are fed up with him, so much so, many are prepared to take law into their own hands.

Gayyoom's days in power are certainly numbered and the nation can't wait to see him being tried and punished for the crimes he has committed over the past 28 years.