Dhivehi Observer :: The People's Press ::

13/09/04, Colombo

Maldives cabinet reshuffle: musical chairs, whilst pro-democracy MPs remain in prison

President Gayoom of the Maldives initiated a cabinet reshuffle today, the first major change in government since the mass pro-democracy protest of 12/13^th August, the subsequent arrest of pro-democracy activists and the declaration of a State of Emergency.

However, in display of political musical chairs, Gayoom merely reshuffled the pack of existing government ministers. Gayoom’s long-term friend Dr. Zahir Hussain resigned from his position as Minister of Youth and Sport but was replaced by Gayoom’s brother in law, Ibrahim Manik, who was previously Information Minister. Ahmed Abdulla has been appointed the new Information Minister from his previous position as Minister of Health whilst the former Minister for Gender, Aneesa, has been moved to Health. A new appointment, Zahiya Zareer, has been made Gender Minister. The President’s brother, Abdulla Hameed, has been removed from the post of Speaker of Parliament but continues to run his other portfolio as Atolls Minister. Minister for Justice, Zahir, has been transferred to Speaker of Parliament.

These changes come in the face of mounting pressure by the international community, led by the European Union, for the President to lift the State of Emergency, release the pro-democracy detainees and initiate democratic reforms in a meaningful way. Today the President’s message to the international community was clear: only superficial reforms are intended.

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) abhors this latest display of defiance by President Gayoom. The MDP believes it will be impossible to pursue democratic reforms in the Maldives whilst pro-democracy supporters, including many MPs, remain in prison. In accordance with the declaration of the Heads of Mission of the European Union to the Maldives, the MDP calls on President Gayoom to immediately repeal the State of Emergency, release all political prisoners and grant Maldivian citizens fundamental human rights in full.

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