Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that he will not accept that the toppling of former President Nasheed’s government on February 7 was a coup d’état, even if the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI)’s report came to such a conclusion.
After giving a statement to the CNI, Gayoom in a press conference held at the office of his Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), stated that he had seen the recording of the video in which ousted President Nasheed publicly resigned, and said that it was not made “under duress” and that therefore it was very clear that it “was not a coup”
“Even though I was in Malaysia, I saw the video recording of how he resigned and what he said – such as that he is now resigning, and that if he continued to remain as the president the country may face further grief and pain,” Gayoom said.
“Also, it was he himself who wrote the letter of resignation and it is he who sent the letter to the parliament,” Gayoom claimed added.
Gayoom said that there was no point in Nasheed claiming that it is “a coup” after he had resigned in accordance with the constitution.
“I told this to the members of the CNI, and I think they seem to believe it too. I also said that Mohamed Nasheed after [his resignation] went home to sleep, he slept that afternoon, that night, the following morning and then he changed his mind [after waking up], then in the evening said he did not resign, or that his resignation was not permanent but a coup d’état. Then who is going to believe that?” Gayoom questioned.
“Something must have happened after 24 hours, some people must have talked to him and ‘got into his head’ to make him change his statement. Before that he was under the belief that he resigned,” the former president contended.
“Frustrations”
In the press conference, Gayoom stated that during the session with the CNI, he also highlighted two things that “frustrated” him about the commission.
One reason for the frustrations was, he explained, the inclusion o a representative of ousted President Nasheed in the commission, following “foreign” influence.
“The reason that frustrates me is that if this commission has a representative of Nasheed there should be a representative of mine too. That is because on many previous occasions Nasheed has repeatedly made false accusations towards me, both in the Maldives and outside, that the change [of power] was a revolution that I brought in,” Gayoom said.
“Where is justice when there is someone in this commission who supports Nasheed’s claims?” the ex-president questioned.
Gayoom claimed that it would only be fair that he have his “own representative if Nasheed gets to have one”.
His second cause of frustration, Gayoom said, was that the CNI was mandated to look into the events that took place from January 14 to February 8.
He stated that the “change” that took place on February 7 was the result of Nasheed’s “unlawful” and “un-Islamic” actions carried out, that had “angered a lot of citizens”, and contended that this would be clear if the CNI looked into what Nasheed had done after assuming presidency in 2008.
Gayoom during the press conference also shared some of the questions that the CNI posed to him during the session, and the responses he offered.
He said that the CNI questioned as to whether he had provided any financial benefit to the key actors of the change in February 7, to which he replied saying that he “did not spend a single cent on them”.
“Nasheed told the commission that when he entered the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) headquarters, I had told someone that now the ‘fish has gone into the net’ and to better to hold it there,” he explained. “I said that was an outright lie.”’
Gayoom maintained his earlier stand that he had no part to play in the transfer of power, and that “now even Nasheed should believe it because he said that he would believe it if I went to the CNI and told them that I did not play a part in the ‘coup’.”
Ending political instablity
When the CNI had asked him what he thought would bring an end to the ongoing political instability in the country, Gayoom said told the commission the solution was for Nasheed and his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to stop their “extremist” actions and pave the way for negotiations.
Despite Gayoom expressing his openness to negotiate, last month in a rally held by the PPM in Addu City he vigorously condemned his successor, claiming that Nasheed had a habit of defaming him to both the local and international community.
Gayoom at the time said that he “humbly refused” a request from United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Patricia Butenis, to take part in the All Party Talks along with Nasheed.
He dismissed Nasheed’s claims that the controversial transfer of power was a coup d’état, and commended the acts of the mutinying police and military officials.
Following the remarks, the opposition MDP expressed its disappointment to see Gayyoom refusing to take part in the All Party Talks.
“With the country fallen into this grave state, it is saddening to see Gayoom refusing to take part in the All Party Talks, a negotiation that is highly related to the public interest of the country,” MDP Spokesperson MP Imthiyaz Fahmy said, and called on the former President to prioritise the country before his own personal interest.
Fahmy said the MDP was ready to come to the negotiation table, a sentiment matched by former MP and MDP Legal affairs committee member Ibrahim ‘Ibra’ Ismail.
“I was once the President of the MDP. Nasheed was the Chairperson then. We both were harassed and tortured during Gayoom’s regime because we were opposed to his rule,” Ibra said. “But even then we were both prepared to talk to Gayoom and his government on issues that concerned the national interest,” he recalled.
Gayoom showing “symptoms of dementia”
Speaking to Minivan News, Ibra described Gayoom’s comments as “desperate” and in “self-denial”, knowing that CNI report would unveil the “dirty truth” behind the toppling of the country’s first democratically elected government.
He further suggested that the recent remarks that Gayoom had been making in the local media exhibited symptoms of dementia, a loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person beyond what might be expected from normal aging.
“Perhaps a person may make contrasting statements rarely. But we are speaking of several and repeated statements, which may suggest that [Gayoom] maybe exhibiting symptoms of dementia. People of that age face dementia, due to old age,” he alleged.
In response to Gayoom’s frustrations on the CNI, Ibra questioned why Gayoom should have his own representation when allegations were levied against several others, and stated that it was impossible to include the representatives to CNI.
“Allegations were levied against the current Commissioner of Police, Defence Minister, the President and several politicians. Can we include each of their representatives in the commission?” he questioned.
Ibra stated that the focus and the mandate of the CNI was to find out whether Nasheed resigned under duress or not, and added that it was not the CNI’s mandate to see how Nasheed ran the country, or reflect on frustrations expressed by Gayoom.
Ibra further alleged that Gayoom was trying to discredit the members of CNI, knowing that the CNI report would not come out in his favor.
“I think he clearly knows from what the CNI knows and the evidences they collected, and from the facts surrounding the event, that it is highly unlikely the report will not come out in his favour. So he has already begun his work to discredit the CNI stating that it is not impartial and lacks credibility,” Ibra claimed.
Concern and condemnation
Following Gayoom’s remarks, in a media statement the opposition MDP expressed concerns and condemned the remarks, citing that it reflected Gayoom’s lack of concern on the interests of the country.
“When a lot of people are alleging that the transfer of power that took place on February 7 was a coup d’etat, and while many question the events that unfolded on that day as well as the legitimacy of the current government, it is very concerning to see former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom publicly stating that he would not believe that former government of the Maldives was toppled by a coup, even if the CNI established to look into the issue decides so,” read the statement.
The MDP in the statement said that the democratic achievements the people of the country had achieved in the last three years were diminishing, and claimed that police brutality and human rights abuses had become abundant following the coup.
“The grave situation that the Maldives lies today is that the economic growth of the country has severely slowed down, efforts of social protection of the people are at a halt, unemployment rates are rapidly rising and people’s income has come down significantly,” read the statement.
The MDP in the statement alleged that despite the country being in such a grave situation, Gayoom’s remarks reflect his insincerity and lack of concern towards the general well being of the country and its people.
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I think Mr Gayyoom has scored a point here...Its 1-0.
may god save this country from gayyoomism!
Valid point from Gayoom this time.
let's replace Judge Selvam with a Psychaitrist
It is rumored that Selvam has met the Attorney General at her own residence while everybody was dead asleep about two weeks ago. Why??? For what????
Mr. Gayoom, how long can you go on? If you had made a good judicial system the Maldives would have been probably one of the best small nations in the world. Still after all your blunders and errors your are trying to escape without a trial. How manly of you it would be if you had supported a free and fair election before the end of 2012.
every comment from gayyoom is written withing comma "". But all the mdp comments are written as it is.
This is what happens when an mdp activist writes a report!
To find what really happened we need a new commission comprising Dunya, Yumna, Faarish and Ghassaan with Yaameen, Ilyas and Abbas as substitutes. Umar Zahir can report to international media and Nasreena can go shopping.
Qayoom is very dangerous psychopath, you can prove his condition by the statements he is making. He knows the Maldivian are much crazier than himself, he is simplifying the whole things as if all the Maldivians are crazy and people will buy what bulshit he is talking. If you study his statement and his attitude, it very clear this guy was involved in the coup and trying to be smart with his ultra egoism. Also it is very clear that he fully approves anything that’s against the will of people. Those Maldivian who support this guy has no clue that this guy does not want Maldivian people anything good. His focus is always to get people to believe him a supremo Grandiose Allah Algayoom. Bloody fake leader with dangerous narcissist mentality .Wake up people this guy had 30 years in 21st century to give Maldivian some hope but he does have any quality of a true statesman, jut spit on him he is no different than Qadafi and all Bedouin Arabs.
Qayoom is very dangerous psychopath, you can prove his condition by the statements he is making. He knows the Maldivian are much crazier than himself, he is simplifying the whole things as if all the Maldivians are crazy and people will buy what bulshit he is talking. If you study his statement and his attitude, it very clear this guy was involved in the coup and trying to be smart with his ultra egoism. Also it is very clear that he fully approves anything that’s against the will of people. Those Maldivian who support this guy has no clue that this guy does not want Maldivian people anything good. His focus is always to get people to believe him a supremo Grandiose Allah Algayoom. Bloody fake leader with dangerous narcissist mentality .Wake up people this guy had 30 years in 21st century to give Maldivian some hope but he does not have any quality of a true statesman, jut spit on him he is no different than Qadafi and all Bedouin Arabs.
why Gayyoom only and Anni is another ill person who is also mentally retarded. Both are equally bad and both are blood sucking power hungers and both are required to put behind the bars to prevail the peace in this country.
Both are acting like they are above the law and we need justice to prevail and both to get punished for the crimes and robbery.
1."I will not accept that the toppling of former President Nasheed’s government on February 7 was a coup d’état, even if the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI)’s report came to such a conclusion.
2."I think they seem to believe it too"
3."I also said that Mohamed Nasheed after [his resignation] went home to sleep, he slept that afternoon, that night, the following morning and then he changed his mind [after waking up],"
What is he talking about?
1. He will not believe in the facts?
2. CNI also thinks the way Gayoom thinks?
3. Did Gayoom also had a spy at Mohamed Nasheed's bedroom?
Gayoom knows everything that took place from day one..he had his commanding office in Malaysia and anything against Gayooms role is not true..
'Frustration' is a human emotion. Its a very human thing.
But its so hard to imagine Gayoom having an emotion. How so?
I need an explanations.
Power hungry canibal Golhaa still thinks that he can fool the innocent people here whom he left without proper education and medication. the bloody dictator used the state media and funds to promote him and his corrupted family. Now that his children are desperate to come to power. and this nasty old duck who has almost reached his grave is challenging the international community. he doesn't know that there is not even a bit of respect left for this dirty monster man who killed 111 people during his regime in jail all happened to be political prisoners. he should be prosecuted and hanged to death
"I told this to the members of the CNI, and I think they seem to believe it too."
Classic! I'm surprised that he did not mention that he managed to convince the CNI that his views were the right views and the only views that should be considered.
You see, Gayyoom is a firm believer in his way or the highway. He formed a political party and as soon as events were going against his way, he tried to destroy that party. Now, he has formed another centre of attraction around him, so that he can play the pompous old dictator that he is. Gayyoom is an example of a classical narcissist. Truth is, Gayyoom won't survive a day without people ready to kiss his arse! He has plenty to do so at the moment, including the likes of Mr 99% Umar Naseer.
"Gayoom said told the commission the solution was for Nasheed and his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to stop their “extremist” actions and pave the way for negotiations."
This gets better doesn't it. When his party roamed the streets, that was them exercising their constitutional right to freedom of assembly including all the destruction and havoc they brought about. Now, when another party takes to the streets in protest, he labels that as "extremist action". Figure that out for youselves, ladies and gentelmen.
Gayom is frustrated cause he thought commission would proceed the way Gayoom did nvestigation when he ws in power. Labaling a person way he needs.
We dont really need Naseed and Gayoom.
If you two or any one else want good for the people of Maldies, please stay away from Politics.
Yala
Gayyooms's response to people after murdering of Evan Naseem in jail and the shooting dead of 3 inmates and injuring several others was that they shot at space. atmosphere and up and he does not seem to know as head of armed forces who gave the order. On 7th Feb most active PPM party members were there at Republic Square and his deputy Umar Naseer claimed to have led the coup from the command center he claimed to have established. I wonder Maumoon ever heard of Umar's claim that he told Nasheed " If he did not resign, his life could be in danger". This senile old man refusal to accept the verdict of the commission if proven as coup shows only his arrogance and also that he is a liar as usual.
So could Gayoom explain what a civilian like Nazim was doing in the President's office while the President was giving his resignation speech? Why Nazim had been earlier seen announcing to the crowd gathered near Military headquarters that he had asked the President to resign by a certain hour? Why Civilian Riyaz and Nazim was standing right next to the President while he was writing a resignation letter by hand, and why that letter was taken from the President's office and carried by hand by these two civilians to the Speaker of Majlis. And why those two civilians Nazim and Riyaz were appointed Defence minister and chief of Police the following day? All these questions we would like to get an answer for.
Gayoom knows his representative is there as co-chairman and he is simply trying to distract that fact by grumbling about not having his representative. He must have endorsed each candidate President Waheed appointed initially.
As judge and jury he had played supreme court for too long. Nothing other than his own version of adjudication will be acceptable to him just like a child throwing temper tantrums.
He is a total disgrace to the political history of the world, not to mention Maldives for that matter.
His reputation and credibility is on nose-dive since 2003 and now that erosion is speedier than ever. That is natural and the guy has not been able to sweep everything under the carpet.
Justice system is nowhere in this world is sufficient for his trial considering the injustices, oppression and tyranny he had caused to this country, leave alone hundreds of millions of dollars siphoned off during his regime. It was plunder of the highest order too obvious to ascertain. His end will redeem this country of the filth in the political arena. May Allah bless Maldives and the world with peace
old man must be loaded with sleeping pills and psycho drugs now that the s#*ts abt to hit the fan in full force. his frustration's always a gud sign
Gayyoom has african jungle blood in his body and this is why he has no regard for Maldivians.Compare him with those african so called leaders, one would find similarities.
What happened to Anni is the same what happened to you Gayoom, We chased you out by our VOTE and you said you will not be involved in any political acts now WHATS IS PPM ?
I thought 3 other members of the commission have been in the government during your dictatorship
The reason why Nasheed has his member is that he was the president that was in when the COPE took place and Waheed's member's because he was the successor after the COPE, we don't understand why you need one of your members in the CNI? just because some one makes allegations does not mean that you should have your member at CNI
WHAT FRUSTRATE US IS THE EVEN AFTER CHASING YOU WITH OUR VOTE YOU STILL FEEL THAT YOU COULD COME BACK AND MAKE US YOUR SLAVES AGAIN..... NO WAY GAYOOM
there is no question about maumoon's lack of concern over the Maldivian people.. my question is, him insisting on his having representation at CONI, does this mean that he was in fact involved in, and behind the whole coup planning, implementation and the present bagee government too? i would like CONI to establish this if you please...
MNH;
What's a COPE?
True in the historic Presidential elections of 2008 Qasim, Hassan Saeeed, Waheed, Nasheed and other politican groupings came together and managed to edge out Qayyoom by 15,000 votes.
However before we claim that Qayyoom "was chased off" we must keep in mind, that the combined financial might and influence of several political interests gathered only 97,000 votes against Qayyoom's 82,000.
So before making exaggerated claims based on propaganda, we must always keep in mind that Qayyoom still holds sway over a large section of our population.
As for his justification in demanding representation in CoNI it does perfect sense. As he said Nasheed preempted any meaningful attempt at conducting an unbiased investigation into events on the 7th by conducting a worldwide media campaign in which he was repeatedly quoted claiming that Qayyoom had ousted him in a coup. Most of these statements were also presented as fact. So any person would wish to declare a mistrial if the judging panel includes the personal representation of a person who has already declared one of the persons on trial guilty.
The biggest joke so far by this slander!
His hypocrisy, I think was a little better than the hypocrisy of the queen with the beautiful nose; who condoned and embraced great Roman worriers with her charm!
This slander cannot believe his charm is lost and people could see the gall and venom inside him!
The real hypocrisy within him is undoubtedly and finally spoken!
" he will not accept that the toppling of former President Nasheed’s government on February 7 was a coup d’état, even if the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI)’s report came to such a conclusion." Why ??????
Could this be, because it was his, right from birth!?#@$%^
Qayyoom already has a representative in CoNI and his name is Ismail Shafeeu! He was the most Senior member of Qayyoom's Cabinet when Nasheed defeated Qayyoom in the Presidential elections of 2008.
Its simply not true. Not true. Not true at all.lol
@ali hassan
What has african blood got to do with it? That was a racist comment. Sort of comment you would have heard from the Aparteid government in South Africa in the 80s!!!!
Every country has its thugs and monstors. Why pick on Africa?
@Tsk tsk
now you are really getting ridiculous.
Tis Tis,
You are the past, we are the future. we will deal with those who have violated our rights to be ruled by a government elected by our people. You are deluded than i thought.
heylaashe magey dhariyaa thibeyfulhunge ge dhuvas higejjeye.
Chis chis kohliyas , fis fis kohliyas magey nethey veveykah baagee akah.
@Tsk tsk
now you are really getting ridiculous.
Tis Tis,
You are the past, we are the future. we will deal with those who have violated our rights to be ruled by a government elected by our people. You are more deluded than I thought.
heylaashe magey dhariyaa thibeyfulhunge ge dhuvas higejjeye.
Chis chis kohliyas , fis fis kohliyas magey nethey veveykah baagee akah.
Gayyoom is officially younger than his younger brother, Moakulhi Abdullah Hameed.
I want to file a court case against him for deception.
Minvan thilaamen ahremen liyaa comments nagnee Nasheedakee vess Gayoom kala laa akah veeme dho.
Hagee ge commenteh koh finama e comment remove kurey.Ball bodu.
mode. you think all these people who are holding PHD, Masters, bachelor degrees are just got educated during Anni regime.
You think that all the schools are being build and people who have passed o level and a level had done only during anni regime.
You guys are just cult followers and you will nerve want to know the truth and you will follow your GOD anni only