Home page

News Archive

History

Dhivehi

Maps

Fanditha

Glossary

Links

Zipped

E-mail

Unrest in Raa atoll is prompting a NSS crackdown in the three islands of Rasgetheemu, Vaadhoo and Rasmaadhoo, according to informed sources.

The latest disturbances have resulted in an island office and court building being destroyed in a mysterious night attack. In Rasmaadhoo island unknown people have also pulled down a mosque wall. Similar incidents have been occurring for some time in Raa atoll, according to the sources. They claim that public anger and frustration is directed against the current Raa atoll chief, Mr Saud, who is a close friend of the Minister for Atolls Abdullah Hameed, the brother of President Gayyoom.

The first incident in the present series of vandal attacks was in Rasgetheemu island. It also happened at night. The island office was ransacked, and diesel fuel was splattered all over the interior of the building. Documents were thrown around the rooms, and the office computer was dumped in a well. The Maldivian flag flying over the office was replaced by an American flag.

No mention of these events has appeared in the Maldivian media.

The Gayyoom administration is, according to insiders, trying its level best to placate the Americans, seeking their support and protection and thereby legitimising its rule. The comments of Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Christina Rocca, in support of the regime's 'democratic' system of government have been incessantly repeated by the Maldivian Dhivehi press, radio and television. Meanwhile, an International Aid conference in Monterrey, Mexico, is highlighting crucial issues for the Maldivian aid program, and redefining the agenda for future aid distribution. The conference was attended by the Maldivian Minister for Foreign Affairs Fathullah Jameel, but Maldivians without access to English language media remain ignorant concerning the conference issues.

The Gayyoom administration is continuing its program of brainwashing the country. Tension indicators, such as more girls adopting the veil at the Science Education Centre in the past few months, underscore an alarming tale of increasing intolerance and suppression.

Ibrahim Maniku

NSS Brigadier Adam Zahir, a close friend of President Gayyoom, and the Minister of Information Arts & Culture Ibrahim Maniku, brother-in-law of the President's wife, Nasreena Ibrahim, are cultivating support for the revival the Majeediyya Old Boys Association. Majeediyya School is gearing up to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee, and will provide a major forum for President Gayyoom and his brother Abdullah Hameed to launch the 2003 Presidential campaign. After the removal from office of popular Malé reformist Majlis member Mohamed Nasheed and his banishment on petty theft charges, the 2003 presidential campaign is now getting into gear, with visits to the southern atolls of Addu Atoll and Fua Mulak.

Sources also reveal that the Maldives government is unhappy with the present VSO head who they feel ought to be replaced. (The VSO provides British professionals at a very cheap rate to the Maldivian government. Their experiences in the outer atolls mean that VSO is very well-informed of economic and health conditions outside Malé. These are matters the Gayyoom regime would prefer to misrepresent or ignore.)

There is speculation that this disaffection between VSO and the government is related in part to the aftermath of the recent Commonwealth CHOGM meeting that President Gayyoom refused to attend. Blame for this embarrassing foreign policy debacle has been laid on minor Maldivian officials while senior government executive staff attempt to exonerate themselves.