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Gayoom Plays “Political Musical Chairs” MDP Newsletter 20 15 - 30 September 2004 Graphics added by Maldives Culture from various sources   President Gayyoom 'neither sincere nor bound by principles' Gayoom decided that presidential terms should be limited to two. That makes sense. Even in established democracies like the USA they go through the practice, partly because of the fear that one man ruling for too long could get too powerful, too dictatorial and too corrupt. Gayoom is in his sixth five year term and he is all of the above. An ordinary human being following simple logic would assume that Gayoom would, if he is sincere, adhere to his deeply held principles and resign. Gayoom is neither sincere nor is he bound by principles.   Ismail Shafeeu 'backboneless wonder' As a substitute for his resignation, Gayoom now wants to change his minions who he has empowered. Also give some of his posts to subservient slaves while retaining actual power. One of his most docile slaves, that backboneless wonder, Ismail Shafeeu is Minister of Defense while he, Gayoom, retains – as he pointed out – the post of Commander–in–Chief. Ahmed Abdullah 'Gayoom's business partner'   Gayoom’s business partner Ahmed Abdulla has been changed from the Ministry of Health to run his propaganda as Minister of Information. Ahmed Abdulla is eminently qualified for the job: He is a die-hard Gayoom loyalist and, like others who held the post before him, he has not yet completed his secondary education. Gayoom’s semiliterate brother-in-law who was earlier propaganda chief is now Minister of Youth and Sports. Gayoom understands the tremendous service rendered by his younger brother Abdulla Hameed who in the past 26 years helped retain him in power, remains in the crucial post of Minister of Atolls Administration. Abdullah Hameed 'tremendous service rendered'   Gayoom knows with the parliamentary elections around the comer he needs the competent service of Hameed to ensure that vote-rigging goes smoothly. Island Chiefs and other officials are handpicked by Hameed based on one criterion: loyalty to himself and Gayoom. Less than 20% of island chiefs and their deputies have gone through secondary education. Justice Minister Ahmed Zahir is now Speaker of the Majlis. Zahir has the unique distinction of being the only incumbent minister who lost his parliamentary seat to two new contestants. That, in the eyes of Gayoom, of course, makes him eminently suitable as Speaker. Who the people rejects, Gayoom imposes on the representatives of the people. Ahmed Zahir receives his letter of appointment as Speaker of the Majlis from President Gayyoom on 13 September 2004 What is surprising is why Zahir lost the Justice portfolio. With so many political trials looming, Gayoom needs a minister who will manipulate the trials exactly the way he wants. Gayoom is, of course, the final judicial authority and he has an entire panel under the Office of the President who help him manipulate the legal process. Justice is too important an issue to be delegated. The NSS (under his stewardship) torture and extract information suitable for Gayoom, the Attorney General would prosecute exactly along the lines determined by Gayoom and, of course, the judges will pass sentence exactly as instructed by Gayoom. It is a neat, precise system that avoids tension created by separation of powers. In various interviews and over national media, Gayoom has found the pro-democracy activists guilty of high treason – some among them actually called for not only the resignation of his hard-line brothers, but for his own resignation as well. In Gayoom’s mind treason cannot go any higher.   Brigadier General Adam Zahir 'Head Torturer' The police have been brought under the Ministry but surprisingly the Head Torturer remains only the Commissioner of Police and has not yet been promoted as Minister of Home Affairs. Perhaps during these trying times, with almost all dissidents in jail, Head Torturer Adam Zahir’s expertise on torture and extraction of “confessions” is more urgently required. All indications are that the Torturer is doing a very competent job.           Satirical graphics from Dhivehi Observer Once this phase is over, the speculation is that he will be promoted as Minister of Justice. Hopefully then, the long detention and recreational torture of detainees would be replaced by shorter, more purposeful torture under a special unit directly supervised by the Minister of (In)justice. However, as before, Gayoom will continue to give overall direction in the case of torture of political detainees. Yes, one may expect this charade of musical chairs to go on. However what one may not expect, if one is reasonable, is change of any substance. Gayoom, for example, may very well limit the presidential term to two. Hang around for 17 years and Gayoom may well come with a constitution that limits his terms. By then he would be dictator for 43 years and two terms of 30 years each term would give him an additional 60 years: a grand total of 103 years as despot. After this the country can be ready for meaningful change instead of playing “political musical chairs” – provided the family business of lording over the Maldives is not passed on to Gayoom’s great grandchildren, or provided Gayoom is not embalmed and, after a democratic vote, made president for eternity. top

Related articles and links Isn't it high treason, to work to overthrow the government of Maldives? Miadhu translation 21 Jan 2004 Have a good holiday PeaceReporter.org 27 Aug 2004 Gayyoom's rule threatens economy 4 Oct 2004 Gayoom's EU Blues MDP newsletter 20

Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldive cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
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