Interview: Ahmed Moosa – Democratic Transition In Maldives

The Maldives are an archipelago off the Indian sub-continental mainland, comprising almost 1200 islands in 26 coral reef attols. They were settled over the ages by travelers from various Indian Ocean littoral societies, creating homogenous people of mixed origin. The history of the Maldives is narrated often as history of immigration from or interaction with the outside world. In 1965, the Maldives ended its protectorate relationship with Britain, and gained membership as an independent state in the United Nations. The second Maldivian republic was established in 1968. A new constitution came into force after referendum, setting up a Presidential form of government. The President is nominated for five years by Parliament and the nomination is ratified in a national referendum. Mamooon Abdul Gayoom became the President of the Maldives in 1978 and has remained power ever since. He has faced six referenda successfully. Challenges to the state have thrice come from attempted coups d’etat in 1980, 1983 and 1998. In recent year, the demand for democratization in the Maldives has gathered momentum. On June 2nd, 2005, the Maldivian Parliament (Majilis) revoked their earlier ban on the functioning of political parties. Does this mark the beginning of the Maldives`s democratic transition?

Ahmed Moosa nicknamed (Sappe'), a founding member Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Editor in chief of Dhivehi Observer drew public attention, when he called on Gayyoom, the current President of Maldives, to resign immediately and let the people of Maldives to decide what comes next.

Ahmed completed his studies in the UK and Kuwait. He holds an Honors degree in Mechanical Engineering (B Eng. 1995) from University of Glasgow (UK) and a Masters of Philosophy in Engineering degree in Metallurgy and Materials (M Phil Eng. 1997) from the University of Birmingham (UK). He continued his research work in at Birmingham further towards his PhD but postponed the studies in 1998. Ahmed has published research and scientific papers in the Journal of Polymer Testing and Journal of Cellular Plastics.

His aim is to play an active role in the economic, social and political development of the Maldives. He believes that education is the key to success, prosperity and better life. He says, achievement is easy when you have a vision. Hard work, self discipline and courage is what will make the Burumaa Qasims' of tomorrow, I want to be one of them. As a founding member of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which was formed in exile in November 2003, Ahmed is working full time on promoting democracy and respect for human rights in the Maldives. Ahmed Moosa is also the founder and Editor in Chief of Dhivehi Observer News.

Q: You intend to play an important role in the future of Maldives. Can you elaborate?
The future of Maldives lies in the hands of the people, who are craving for democracy and an affluent life. Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) now has widespread support in the country and as a senior member of the party, I am certain to have the opportunity to serve my country in many capacities. For the moment, our main task is to bring an end to the dictatorship of Gayyoom and ensure that democracy is here to stay as per the wishes of the people and I am playing my part in that process with my news website www.dhivehiobserver.com. My future role will be decided by the people of Maldives.

Q: Maldives was also one of the countries hit by the tsunami. What was the volume of the damage and how is the reconstruction proceeding? What was the response from the international community?
In terms of loss of lives, we did not suffer much in comparison to other countries. There were only 100 or so causalities. However, the impact on the infrastructures and physical damage to islands were immense. According to UN, the economic impact on Maldives was the greatest of all countries hit by the tsunami in Asia. In terms of reconstruction, I believe it is not proceeding at the pace that people want. It has now been over a year since the tsunami. Yet there are still people who are living is destitute and appalling conditions. I would blame the regime of the Dictator Gayyoom for failing to concentrate on the plight of those who suffered most in the tsunami. Instead, over the last year, he has done nothing but try to salvage his autocratic rule.

The response from the international community has been huge and very much appreciate by us all but, had there been a more transparent and democratic regime, I am absolutely certain that the country could have benefited much more from aid organizations and foreign governments.

Q: Lets talks about the war on terror. Maldives is an Islamic Republic. What is the position as regard war on terror? Are there Maldivians involved in AlQaida?
Gayyoom came to power in 1978 on an Islamic ticket and have since used Islam as a tool to remain in power and idolized Saddam Hussain. However, like many other Islamic nations, Gayyoom is also a very brutal, merciless and autocratic ruler. Many Maldivians have studied in Madrasa’s in Pakistan and there is an alleged movement of the sort in the Maldives but no hard evidence. As for extremism, I would say that it is almost none existent in Maldives. However, it is hard to say there is no link. In fact, there was one Maldivian national detained in Guantanamo Bay along with some apprehended in Pakistan just after the Afghan war. He was released in 2005.

One important thing to note however, is that as per the current Maldivian constitution, Gayyoom has the ultimate authority to preach Islam and bring out fatwa’s and some Islamic scholars have had to spend up to 2 years in solitary confinement without a charge or trial for giving religious sermons on, for example, how Islam does not permit corruption in government or unjust laws.

Q: My uncle Abdo used to tell me stories about Maldives, about Arab islands beyond the Arab sea and this is how I became interested in the Maldives in the first place. His was a world where Hinduism, Buddism and Islam helped to "define" the boundaries of the "world". How much would you say this is still valid today?
There is some historical truth in that. Maldives have had several Arab travelers passing by and there are some historical accounts to the impact these people had on the nation. In the 19th century, there was considerable Egyptian influence on Maldives. There was a clear link between the Maldives and the Arabs. Maldives accepted Islam in 1153 and have since had a smooth ride and hardly any outside faith based disturbances.

Q: The Maldive islands are very scenic. They should be a natural sanctuary of the Indian Ocean. Is there a strong environmental movement, or a strong environmental consciousness?
Again, Gayyoom’s regime have failed to attach importance to this issue, despite his boastings in the international forums, such as in Earth Summit in Rio, about the vulnerability of small island nations. The population of Maldives is relatively small and there is no large industrial production of any sort. Hence, we are not, as a nation, contributing to any major global damage. However, there needs to be a more comprehensive approach by the government to saving the natural habitat of our small islands.

In recent years, some tourist resort developers have resorted to cannibalizing remote islands to develop idyllic tourist resorts. One such prime example is how Hilton Maldives Resort has ripped off a small island nearby like Mandhoo to develop their resort. Several such examples exist.

Q: Let’s talk about the human rights situation. Opponents of the government hold it responsible for arbitrary arrests, detentions without trial and torture in prison. Can you elaborate? What is the international community doing in this respect?
Gayyoom came to power in 1978 through a covert coup. In 1980, he admitted to having firearms in his possession during his first oath ceremony. Gayyoom does not allow any form of dissent and thousands upon thousands have been arbitrarily detained in jail and many have even been unlawfully killed whilst in detention.

However, it was the incidents of September 2003, that really woke the people up. Evan Naseem, a 19 year old inmate in Maafushi jail was beaten to death by more than a dozen police officers, who also control the jails in the Maldives. The next day, on 20th September, his fellow inmates demanded to know why their friend was so brutally murdered. They staged a riot in jail. To crush this uprising and unrest, Gayyoom ordered his security officers to shoot them and bring the situation under control. More than 5 inmates were shot and killed from close range AK-47 assault rifles, whilst over a dozen were severely injured. The incident became a turning point in our recent history.

I personally, left Maldives in October 2003, after giving an interview to the BBC World, criticizing Gayyoom’s regime. Several others left the country and based themselves in Sri Lanka and the UK. We launched a rigorous campaign to expose Gayyoom’s secret dictatorship.

Amnesty International and other human rights organizations as well as most foreign governments have criticized Gayyoom’s appalling human rights records. Under mounting pressure from the international community, he has had to introduce democratic reforms to the Maldives. But he remains in the way of progress and change is slow in coming. He still unlawfully controls the parliament, has complete control over media and continues to harass, intimidate and arrest people without charge. The bottom line is really, that after 27 years of absolute tyranny and autocracy. We the Maldivians do not have any faith in this man and the majority of the Maldivians believe that all this talk about reform and the road map etc is nothing but a deception to buy more time to remain in power till the end of his 6th term, until October 2008.

Q: Why is it that the Maldivian islands are being described, however, the Maldivian people, their way of life and their other feelings, were rarely given a voice? What should be done to have a better understanding of the Maldives?
Gayyoom rules Maldives with an iron fist, with total control over media and there is interference by his regime into almost every aspect of life. Public services such as education and health are secondary to him. He lives like an oil rich Arab billionaire king. The well being of him and his family took precedence over the welfare of the people of the Maldives. There can be no solution to the problems in the Maldives, except by removing this tyrant from power and installing a people’s government.

Maldivians need to be free to communicate with the world, and then everyone will understand what we are all about.

Q: Yemen and Maldives are by virtue of geographical configuration strategic partners in the Indian Ocean. What kind of cooperation is possible, desired? What can they do together?

Historically, there is evidence that show that some of our decedents are in fact from Yemen. That in the old days there was much trading between the two countries. As seafaring nations, cooperation can be extended to fisheries and shipping. As naturally scenic countries, cooperation can also be extended to tourism in addition to trading and commerce.

Q: Last year a protest by about five thousand people calling for more democracy triggered violence between the police and demonstrators. What is the position of democratic reforms in this Indian Ocean republic? What is the political scenery and who are the international players?
On 12th August 2004, more than 10000 people demonstrated for nearly 24 hours in the Republican Square adjacent to the Police HQ. Gayyoom’s security forces clamped down on the protestors just after Friday Prayer and arrested hundreds of people, including 12 members of the parliament. Last year, a few people sat on the centre of the square to commemorate that event, but they were arrested within an hour or so. One of them was the co-founder of the Maldivian Democratic Party and it’s Chairman Mohamed Nasheed, who still remains in custody and has been charged with terrorism and crimes against the state without any basis whatsoever. Following his arrest on the 12th of August 2005, there was widespread unrest in the capital Male’ and many others were arrested.

The international community, especially the European Union and the Commonwealth has been at the forefront of the help from outside. They have called on Gayyoom to comply with international standards and conduct fair trials. International monitors such as International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) are also closely following the progress of these trials. They have stated that these trials are politically motivated and could not get a fair hearing because Gayyoom is also the head of the judiciary.

The EU is playing the lead role in pressuring the Maldives right now, especially the UK. We are disappointed in the Indian government’s refusal to help the people of Maldives. Instead they are still supporting the dictator and supplying him with arms and riot gear as well as naval ships. Apparently to dilute the growing strength of the Chinese in the region.

Q: In the first hand Arabic account of India, Islands of Southeast Asia and China (Notes on China and India) dating back to 851, we learn that the Sea of Larwi is separated from the Sea of Hagard by an archipelago of 1900 islands. They are small and ruled by a queen. The coconut palm thrive, wealth is measured in cowry shells. The people of these islands are expert viewers, their houses, boats and other things are made with equal skills. Where would you place the Maldives today, in a globalized world?

The Maldives is a very old country, tracing back more than 2500 years. The homogeneous people of Maldives have developed an unique culture and tradition. The world must come to aid in preservation of our culture and heritage. It should not watch a ruthless dictator abusing the country and ripping off our entire wealth. Like you list old buildings and historical sites, Maldives should be listed as a heritage country.

Q: Change will occur some day. Where do we go from here? What are the options, alternatives, visions?
The empowerment of the people is in progress and getting stronger. According to most political analysts, Gayyoom’s days in power are numbered and a matter of time. We want a democratic society in the Maldives, just, affluent and progressive.

Q: You speak for Maldivian Democratic Party. How strong is your movement? What is the response of the international community so far?
In less than a year since it’s registration in the Maldives and despite enormous obstacles and intimidation from this regime, we are now the largest party in the Maldives with over 40,000 registered members, representing nearly 1/3 of the voting population in the country. In recent elections, we have won almost all the larger constituencies. Provided a fair election is held, we are certain to get the people’s mandate to form the first ever fully democratic government in the Maldives. The response from the international community has been very positive, except from the Indians. Change, however, could not come fast enough for our people.

Q: You are also editor in Chief of Dhivehi Observer and are based in UK. Can you reflect on your experience?
As I mentioned earlier, I left Maldives in October 2003, after giving an interview to the BBC about the dictatorship of Gayyoom. I then launched Dhivehi Observer (www.dhivehiobserver.com) to provide information and news about the Maldives which are kept from our people and the world. I believe the website has played an important role in empowering our people, in exposing the despotic regime of Gayyoom and the atrocities he has committed against our people. Dhivehi Observer is in fact officially blocked by the regime, as it is with any dissident voices. But our people have ways to get around such attempts.

Q: Someone, not so long ago, proposed we should have a "global democracy brigade" to enforce the peoples will. Do you think would it help? What impact, for example, have Arudhati Roy`s writings (The God of small Things)?
I think that would help immensely. The world today cannot ignore the plight of people, no matter where they live. Roy’s writings draw a clear picture of the problems in our societies. I think her writing have a bigger impact on the Indian culture rather than ours. As for the general public, I doubt if many Maldivians have in fact read her work or are familiar with her writings. Simply because any such material is banned by the despot, who do not want people to THINK.

Q: Revolution starts when there is a change of heart in hearts of people. The consolidation of a democratic transition depends greatly on a strong civil society. How is multiparty democracy going to be introduced into Maldives? What are the political alternatives?
The first step for us now is to remove appointed members from the parliament and ensure that the constitutional amendments really reflect the will and aspirations of the people. Maldivians are, in my view, fully prepared to embrace a multiparty democracy, which has stood the test in other parts of the world to be the most effective tool to bring social justice, prosperity and tolerance into any society.

We have a lot of work to do! There is no civil society in Maldives at the moments. Gayyoom’s will is all that matters and he operates above the law. He has to go before any change can take place. If Gayyoom wants what is best for the Maldives, he should resign now. I can categorically say that he does not have a democratic mandate, nor the trust and confidence of the Maldivian people.

Q: Any last comments, suggestions, wishes?
Our people today are awake and want a better life. The international community has an obligation to hear our voices and assist us. It is not enough for President Bush to just say he wants democracy to prosper in all corners of the world. He has to act on his words. Same message goes to Prime Minister Blair and Kofi Anann and the other world leaders who preside over democratic governments and institutions, especially India. India must come to our rescue, being the largest democracy in the world, our closest neighbor and oldest friend. India has a prime responsibility to be on our side and help us become a 21st century democracy.

THANK YOU.

MALDIVES IN BRIEF*
Population: 285,066 (2003)
Dependency ratio: 67 per 100 working populations (2003)
Life expectancy: 70 male, 71 female
Sex ration: 103 males per 100 females (20030
Literacy: 98.94 % (2003)
Ethnicity: Homogenous, Dhivehi speaking
Religion: Sunni Muslim

*Source: Ministry of Planning and National Development-Statistics Section, Government of Maldives

RELATED LINKS
http://www.dhivehiobserver.com/
http://www.dhivehiobserver.com/moosa
http://www.dhivehiobserver.com/tvreports.htm
http://www.dhivehiobserver.com/truth
Sequence of events and the killings in Sept 2003
www.minivannews.com
www.mdp.org.mv