Democracy and the Maldives

Thursday, 9 February 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

HAS democracy failed in the Maldives? As chaos engulfs the second closest country to Sri Lanka, it is impossible not to wonder over where this change will lead. Will the country still continue as a democracy or will it fall into extremist hands? What are the lessons that Sri Lanka can learn from what has been seen so far?

Nasheed, the Maldives’ first democratically-elected President, handed power over the Indian Ocean archipelago to Vice President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik on Tuesday, explaining that continuing in office would result in his having to use force against the people.

Nasheed swept to victory in 2008, pledging to bring full democracy to the low-lying islands and speaking out passionately on the dangers of climate change and rising sea levels. But he drew opposition fire for his arrest of a judge he accused of being in the pocket of his predecessor, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled for 30 years. Protests at the arrest set off a constitutional crisis that had Nasheed defending himself against accusations of acting like a dictator.

Overnight, vandals attacked the lobby of the opposition-linked VTV TV station, witnesses said, while mutinying Police attacked and burnt the main rallying point of Nasheed’s Maldives Democratic Party before taking over the State broadcaster MNBC and renaming it TV Maldives, as it was called under Gayoom.

On Tuesday, soldiers fired teargas at Police and demonstrators who besieged the Maldives National Defence Force headquarters in Republic Square. Later in the day, scores of demonstrators stood outside the nearby President’s office chanting “Gayoom! Gayoom!”

Part of the Police force joined the revolt effectively resulting in a coup and the new President is only expected to head a transitional government until the presidential elections next year. This has left open an uncertain future for the Maldives and while it is unlikely that the present political crisis will affect the country’s tourism dependent economy, it could set back holistic development in the short-term.

Ensuring the independence of the judiciary, promoting good governance and transparency as well as upholding law and order are all focus points for the Maldivian Government at this point. Even though the economy is stable with no cancelled tours or flights, the Government remains concerned about the effects of the political developments on the larger economy.

Ensuring the dictatorial practices are not allowed and having the best interests of the people at heart are the main challenges for them at the moment – though the resignation of Nasheed has done much to reduce civilian damage. The people’s decision will hopefully be allowed to come to the forefront at the next elections and the chances for change in the Maldives will continue.

Both India and Sri Lanka, which have previously helped Nasheed or involved themselves in Government affairs, have clearly stated that they view these developments as purely internal matters. This means that Maldives has the opportunity to find its own solutions by consulting all stakeholders without undue international pressure. The fact that no deaths were reported as a result of the coup is also positive.

Adhering to democracy and the view of the people is the best way forward and all will be awaiting developments in the Maldives with keen interest.