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Democracy in the Maldives
A modest model in the Arabian Sea
Feb 26th 2011, 9:32 by A.R. | DELHI
MOHAMED NASHEED, the dapper young president of the Maldives, thinks the jasmine revolutionaries of the Arab world may have something to learn from his own small country’s transition to democracy. The Indian Ocean archipelago, which has historical ties to the Arab world, saw the ouster of its own strongman, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, just two years ago. Mr Gayoom had ruled as president for three decades, jailing and torturing his opponents along the way, until he was eventually persuaded in 2008, after popular protests, to hold a free election—and then to respect its result, which brought the opposition to power.
The relatively orderly transition—closer to the regime change experienced in Tunisia than to the violent horrors now under way in Libya—did not produce an entirely smooth outcome. Opposition lawmakers have since been able to block the government’s policies, leading, in mid 2010, to the resignation of the cabinet in protest. But even such disagreements are resolved peacefully. “We are in the process of consolidating our democracy” says Mr Nasheed, on a visit to Delhi for a conference on promoting liberal governance in South Asia.
“For so many years Maldivian rulers tried to emulate society in Egypt,” he argues; now the Egyptians should return the favour. He urges them not to rush to an election, without first allowing time for the formation of stable political parties. Elections should be held only after a constitution is in place. Mr Nasheed notes that since its first multi-party presidential elections the Maldives has also held a parliamentary poll (in 2009) and then local elections (last year). “We are a 100% Muslim country. We feel if democracy can survive in the Maldives it can survive in other Islamic countries. Islam and democracy are not in conflict.” Asked if Mr Gayoom, who seems to show an interest in returning to politics, should be prosecuted for previous wrongdoing, Mr Nasheed demurs. He reckons that “vengeance” against the previous leader would be counterproductive.
Not all is going swimmingly. Islamic radicals, as in north Africa, are a worry. Individuals from the Maldives—frustrated young men—have been arrested while training with extremists in Pakistan. One of the terrorists who attacked India’s commercial capital, Mumbai, in November 2008, killing some 170 people, was rumoured to be Maldivian. (Most of the attackers were Pakistani; Mr Nasheed says he has seen no evidence to prove there was any Maldivian among them.) But the president argues that the religious extremism which flourished under authoritarian rule is now weakening under democracy. “When political space is available, then liberal forces will be able to organise themselves and win the support of the people.”
He points out that in last year’s local elections radical Islamic parties won just 2% of the vote. Next he wants liberal Muslims to take initiatives to outsmart the radicals: it is time for an “ideological confrontation”, with South Asian Muslims learning tactics from moderate and liberal Muslims from farther East: Malaysia and Indonesia. Mr Nasheed plans to play host to a conference on the topic, probably later this year.
It helps that the Maldives also has resources to alleviate poverty. Tourism and the local fishing industry are flourishing (the latter boosted by anti-piracy patrols in the Indian Ocean, which also help to deter poachers). Income per person, at $4,200 per year, is the highest of any country in South Asia and is enough that the Maldives is no longer classified in the “least developed” category. How much any of its success can be replicated in the larger countries of north Africa or the Persian Gulf is open to debate—the Maldives are home to just 350,000 people, and its democracy cannot be considered to be robust until many years have passed. But even a small example of success should be a welcome model for the revolutionaries on the other side of the Arabian Sea.
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Is that why he is protecting his cronies including Parliamentarians, Ministers, Councillors, Judicial Commission Members, and close members to the President who were recorded having sex with a minor? In any other country this is punishable. While he protects his elite clan those who recorded this have been arrested and reporters questioned by police. Is this the type of democracy Nasheed is bringing to this island nation? Or is he going to be another Mugabe?
what president Nasheed forgot to mention here was that the so-called 'radical islamic party' who got 2% is part of his own government. During the recent council election, the popular vote was won by the largest opposition party.. Maldivians are now experiencing widespread corruption, nepotism and crackdown on freedom of media under president Nasheed's regime.
http://minivannews.com/society/police-questioning-of-haveeru-journalists...
http://minivannews.com/politics/accs-stop-work-order-on-heavy-load-polit...
To the above two comments, congratulations for switching to Democracy*
*Side affects may include crony capitalism, nepotism, short sighted populism, corruption and voter stupidity. In most cases, side effects are comparable to the placebo though increased media transparency makes them more visible. If side effects persist for more than 4 years, contact your nearest UN representative or hold a new election.
What an inspiring article ! The information here is very interesting.
Its a shame that you are referring dictator Mohamed Nasheed as role model. Mr. Nasheed fits very well the the indication of president Obama during his speech in Cairo " some leaders come to power in the name of democracy but once they are in power they turn to be dictators".
You have also given gross misinformation in your article.
A.R you should have mention the way Nasheed is ruling this country like Robert Mugabey of Zimbabwe. As a write this comment his police force is torturing Islanders of Thulusdhoo. His police is obstructing elected councilors performing. Is this the model that you are referring.
1. Maldives State Media MNBC has been hijacked by ruling party to spread their propaganda.
2. Detained opposition leaders
3. Corruption. Gave USD21 million project to Reeko Moosa Nasheed's parliamentary group leader
4. Attack of judiciary and established a street court
5. Bribes opposition MPs and gave brand new BMW to Feydhoo constituency MP to join his party
6. Sold telecommunication company below market price
7. Gave Male' airport to indian GRM without parliament approval below market price and not transparent bidding system
8. Gave islands to develop resorts to his close friends
9. forced his cabinet to resign and go for street violence to intimidate MPs and opposition
Also you should mention Nasheed and his party got a huge defeat in local council election which was held on 5th Feb. Opposition won over 65%. Now Nasheed wants to disrupt elected local councils.
He has drug addicts, ex prisoners etc as his top aids.
Definitely he is the New Mugabe of Asia. Here we call him Ganjaboa.
A.R I would like to invite you to Maldives to get your facts straight. As this article was posted today Nasheed's Police is in Kaafu Atoll Thulusdhoo having clashes with local unarmed islanders. They have confiscated keys of the office. Shaviyani Funadhoo also same thing is going on.
Nasheed came to power in a democratic process. As soon as he was elected all the reform process in Maldives stopped. Nasheed refused send his ministers to parliamentary committees. Nasheed used state resources during last local council election to garner support to his party activists. Democracy in Maldives sharply swinging backward. Since he came to power Maldives is ranked below Zimbabwe and Pakistan in terms corruption index.
Yesterday journalists were asked to report to police regarding an article of top government officials sex scandal. Nasheed's press secretary is the first person convicted of substance abuse in Maldives. Another staff Fahala Saeed is a drug dealer. Special Envoy Ibrahim Hussain Zaki is one of most corrupt guy in Maldives.
Red Wave Saleem former governments corrupt figure is Nasheed's close friend now. Former health Minister Ahmed Abdulla has switched side to Nasheed. Mercenaries of 1988 coup attempt Maldives hold top posts of this government.
Nasheed has become like former dictator. In 2013 Nasheed will be removed from office.
But we must remember that in the cases of Germany, Spain and Brazil, the first free general parliamentary elections occurred BEFORE the writing of a new democratic constitution.
Anyway… and what about Mali? It’s an North African majority-Muslim country which has being regarded as a free electoral democracy by Freedom House for years…
Nasheed has created top jobs for members of his party and cronies; there are more than 100 state ministers and deputy ministers appointed by his government. Senior members of his party are involved in major corruption. The state television broadcasts only government propaganda.
The writer claims disagreements between political parties are resolved peacefully. This can't be true because only a day ago clashes occurred between people and police in an island when the police tried to confiscate the key to a building where the newly elected island council were to meet. Bleeding people and policemen were taken for medical treatment. The local council election was held on 5 February 2011 and not last year as the writer has claimed.
When the President says radical Islamic parties won only 2% of the vote in the local elections, he is not mentioning that the radical Islamic party is part of his government. A leader of the radical Islamic party serves in his Cabinet as Minister of Islamic Affairs while another leader of the same party is Minister of State for Islamic Affairs. Nasheed told the economist he has no evidence to prove one of the Mumbai attackers was a Maldivian. But he has told local media that one of the Mumbai attackers was a Maldivian. The writer claims there is anti-piracy patrols in the Indian Ocean which is helping fisheries in Maldives. However, a number of small boats with Somalis have been found in Maldivian waters by fishermen. Arms were found in some of the boats. Nasheed has turned a blind eye to rising religious extremism in the Maldives.
When a daily newspaper reported about a cyber sex scandal involving top government officials, two journalists were dragged to police station. Democracy under Nasheed is turning out to be a nightmare in the Maldives.