Editorial
A.S.I. Moosa (Sappe'), Editor-in-Chief, Dhivehi Observer, 21 October 2007
For the first 25 years of his rule, the Maldives Dictator found it pretty easy going. Many had fallen into his "honey-trap"; some by bribery while others were duped into believing that he was indeed a benevolent leader. However, the pro-democracy campaign that was launched in 2003 in the aftermath of the horrendous murders in Maafushi jail committed the local police became the first nail on his coffin and is now going strong. Of course there were several pervious attempts to expose his crimes and oust him from power but these efforts were stopped by his regime before it gained any real momentum.
Dictator Gayoom's main element of strength that allowed him to continue his ruthless dictatorship from the start was the total control he had over the police and the army. He was able to abuse the system in such a way that even the slightest voice of dissent was completely crushed, setting examples for others who may rise against him. In addition to this, he was able to oppress the media and control the flow of information by appointing his family members and associates to important government posts. Corruption, nepotism and total brutality formed the pillars of his power.
However, after 25 years in total control, it began cracking as soon as organised opposition began their campaign from exile. The movement was able to reach out to the Maldivian people through the internet and inform them of their rights and convinced them of the need for change. Despite numerous attempts by the Dictator to crush this movement, he failed miserably and the movement if anything got stronger. It became a force to be reckoned with. The international community was lending their ears to the plight of the Maldivian people and the movement as a whole was able to keep the world informed of what the Dictator was getting up to at home.
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Then the Dictator dealt what he thought would be his trump card. He announced a reform package on 9th June 2004, in the hope that it would calm things down and reduce the pressure from the international community. The British PR firm, Hill & Knowlton played a key role in convincing the Dictator that by announcing a 'sweeping' reform package, he will be able to remain in control of the destiny of the Maldives. Hill & Knowlton could not to be more wrong. Of course, some believed that Gayyoom could deliver on his promises but it was my absolute conviction that a murderous dictator like Gayyoom was incapable of bringing any democratic reform. The man does not have it in him to be a democratic leader. He is a thoroughbred dictator and that is why I called for his resignation in the BBC report the day after he announced the so called 'sweeping reform' package. Lessons from the past 3 years since the launch of his reform agenda, the road map and all the rest of it, is proof of that.
However, the debates that followed after the announcement of Dictator's reform agenda set the basis for free thinking in the country. As expected, after just 5 debates, the Dictator closed the curtain down on the reformists and began arresting people indiscriminately, which paved the way for the unprecedented anti-government demonstration of 12-13 August 2004 (Black Friday). Again, the Dictator took the reformists for granted and used extreme force to crush the demonstration giving the world an insight into what he will do to salvage his autocratic rule and control over the country. The pressure from the international community increased as a result of the events of 'Black Friday' and the Dictator had to relinquish much of his powers as well as bring fundamental changes to the government structure, including the separation of the police and the army, in addition to removing some of his loyal old guards from the cabinet.
Of course, even today, the Dictator is trying his hardest to influence the constitutional reforms but the movement has its own momentum and he is unable to do as he wish. In other words, the grand plan of the demented dictator has failed and the reform process is on its on motion now.
The game is over for the Dictator but he is finding this truth very hard swallow. As such, it is hardly surprising that he is now trying to woo the international community by trying to portray himself as the last remaining stalwart against Islamic extremism, while all the time actively encouraging the spread of extremism and divisions in the society behind our backs. However, no one today will buy his lies. We all have seen him in his true colours, more than once.
Today, Dictator Gayyoom remains the only roadblock to reform. The sooner he is gone the better for it is only then that the real reform process can truly commence.
