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How well do we know Foreign Minister Fathulla Jameel?

Opinion by DO reader, 14th September 2004

Fathulla Jameel

Not much. He is quite foreign to most Maldivians as his portfolio indicates, because he has never been assigned a post that required him to relate with the average Maldivian at any point of time during the last three decades.

For most people, Foreign Minister Jameel is known as the longest-serving foreign minister in the world and the most influential and closest ally of President Gayoom. Among the diplomatic community worldwide, he is most renowned for his outrageous jokes for every occasion, though most of them in very poor taste. This is a tactic he uses to conceal his lack of substance or charisma required for such an important job.

To the uninformed, Jameel's longevity as Foreign Minister is due to his exceptional wisdom and immense experience and it has nothing to do with his camaraderie with Gayoom or the fact that he was the first boyfriend of the First Lady Nasreena. According to those who have known him well, he does not have the qualities to fulfil his mandate. More so now than ever. He has survived because of a handful of very committed senior staff that he was fortunate to have with him at different times, including personalities like Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, and Dr. Munawwar. Minister Jameel often flatters himself by saying that they were his "students" or people whom he has trained. But one wonders whether he would like to admit it now as they have now been branded as "Baaqees". Also Health Minister Ahmed Abudlla, Executive Secretary to the President Abdulla Shahid, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Abdul Azeez Yoosuf, Chief Government Spokesman Dr. Shaheed and some of the others have worked tirelessly against all odds to keep the Foreign Ministry afloat. But as the head of the Ministry for as long as the present generation of Maldivians can remember, he is responsible for turning his office into a "himaaru(donkey) wuzaaraa (Ministry)" or as someone else called it "the deaf, dumb and mute" Ministry which it is today.

Jameel has taught his "students" everything that he knew, and persuaded them to indulge in everything that he does, including ofcourse excessive drinking. Jameel is known to be sober only after he has had a few shots. No wonder that he did not find the steering wheel of his car on the left hand side when he returned from one of his numerous travels abroad. Jameel also takes advantage of fresh female staff that joins his office by taking them to the "Paradise" and during visits abroad. It is therefore no surprise that the informal training during the probation period for Foreign Ministry girls includes a session on self defence.

Foreign Minister Jameel has never been judged or questioned by the public, because they have never had a reason to. He has never been assigned a post that had anything to do with the public, for eg. education or health or home affairs. He has very shrewdly avoided such assignments. Also Gayoom knows only too well that he does not have the capability to handle such posts. Had he been put to the test, he would not have survived for half the time his "students" have. If performance is judged only by the number of countries with which he has established diplomatic relations or the mileage he has travelled during his career, he has certainly done an excellent job.

Jameel is also known for his indifferent and uncaring attitude towards his staff. Infact he can be even ruthless at times. Staff promotions are rare and far apart. The facilities provided have been only basic. But that is when it comes to his staff. For him, it has to be nothing less than first class. The staff training programme in his Ministry, that he boasts of as his pet project was made a reality not by him but by his Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shaheed.

Jameel is very fond of organising functions such as Birthday parties, or "Breaking Fast" during Ramazan or "Maahefun" as well as picnics to his "Paradise Island". (Incidentally this Island next to his Kandoomaa Resort was forcibly taken away from Gasim Ibrahim by Jameel using his influence as Foreign Minister). All these functions however, are always organised with contributions from the office staff, even when they are held in his house, so that outsiders will think that he is a very caring and kind boss.

Recruitment to the Foreign Ministry is based on two criteria. One - you have to be related to the Jameel family or in the case of women, she has to fit a certain shape, particularly those who aspire to be working in the Protocol Department. Postings to the missions are again based on a third criteria. You should either be an accomplice in his corrupt dealings or related to the Gayoom family. If you know how to please them well, you will never have to come back if you do not wish to. Adam Hassan in UK, Mohamed Khaleel in UN, the later Mohamed Zahir in Colombo are some examples.

Jameel is also no exception as far as corruption, misuse of authority and the likes are concerned, although his name does not often appear in the same list as Yameen and his other Cabinet colleagues. He operates at a different level and style. The commissions he gets through his foreign dealings are not easily known. Gayoom has also ensured that his classmate in Cairo is well looked after as he has always had several other portfolios that do not require much work on his part, but a lot of lucrative travelling and perks. Nonetheless Minister Jameel does not miss a single opportunity at improving his bank accounts, which are also maintained in foreign banks.

Jameel's ability to run the Foreign Office is being increasingly questioned. Most recently, the lack of initiative and failure on his part to protect and safeguard national interests through diplomatic efforts following the strong and continuous campaign by anti-government elements abroad clearly show that Jameel has now outlived his life as Foreign Minister. But there are many who believe that he will survive as he always has, because Gayoom will not have the courage to remove him just as he does not have the guts to remove others like him.

From Maldives Culture Website

Fathulla Jameel is the most senior cabinet member of the Maldives. He has served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his country for the past 21 years, and also held various other foreign affairs-related positions since 1973 - such as that of Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. When asked the secret of the success of the Maldives, he tells people that 'we have less politics here than anywhere else - so we can work as a team.'

'First of all, we realize that we are a small country. So the parameters of our foreign policy have to be based on that reality. One thing that we make sure of is the preservation of our independence and sovereignty. It is something that we have to work for always. And we do that by maintaining an objective approach. We cannot be biased, take sides or be in alliance with any one power--especially the larger powers. Our policies and attitudes must be based on principles, whether it is involving peace, disarmament, nuclear testing, rights of people for self-determination, or human rights issues. On all these issues, we take the principle stand without any regard to who is involved.' Fathulla Jameel in Washington Times, 8 Dec 1999