Latheef Outlines MDP’s Position on the Roadmap

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Founder Mohamed Latheef, currently on a diplomatic tour of Europe, talks about the party’s position vis-à-vis President Gayoom’s recently launched roadmap for democratic reform.

MN: In recent interview with Reuters and other news agencies you sounded enthusiastic about Gayoom’s much flaunted Roadmap. Are you confident that this is the beginning of a concerted commitment to reform?

ML: The answer is a categorical NO. I am under no illusion as to Gayoom’s reform initiatives. The despot will not voluntarily dilute his pervasive, hegemonic power. Like I always point out, reform would be political suicide for the despot. Gayoom is not suicidal.

MN: So why welcome it?

ML: I believe that the New Maldivian Choir Boys are the prime movers behind the Roadmap. The Choir Boys’ main intention in pushing the Roadmap is to fulfil their mandate of buying time for the despot. However, such a document would also act as a noose round his neck. The international community sees this as a formal, firm commitment on the part of the despot. A commitment they can hold Gayoom accountable to. The despot will find it increasingly difficult to misbehave or to renege on his words- a situation we must dearly welcome.

The Choir Boys are not idiots; they are educated, smart, articulate smooth operators. Furthermore they understand the imperative for change and for reform. All they can do is buy time for the despot and, perhaps, hope Gayoom has the good sense to fade away.

MN: Talking about buying time, do you think the deadline of June 2007 for ratification of the constitution and October 2008 for elections is reasonable? Will the people exercise such patience?

ML: Absolutely not. Those two arbitrary dates are clear examples of Gayoom’s insincerity. Earlier he gave January 2006 to come up with a new constitution. A guideline for constitution, largely acceptable to both MDP and the government done with the assistance of UNDP, already exists. So what, other than buying time, is the logic behind extending the timeframe? Why wait until October 2008 to hold elections- exactly when the dictator, according to the present constitution would expect to be rubber-stamped for his seventh term. Frankly the timeline stinks. There is no logical reason why the constitution and the election process cannot be completed within a year at the most.

MN: But enabling laws have to be made and people’s awareness towards the new freedom must be raised. All this surely takes time.

ML: Please, please bear with me. It is not lack of laws that makes the Maldives the dictatorship it is. It is not poor public awareness of rights that has turned the country into a brutal police state run jointly by a sadistic despot and his partner in crime, Torturer Adam Zahir. I have said it before and I say it again; it is not lack of laws but the lack of political will on the part of just one individual- dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom- that has turned this peaceful, small, homogenous society into one of the worst dictatorships in the world. So do not blame lack of laws for our miserable plight- blame the despot who is a law unto himself.

MN: And yet you believe in the utility of Roadmaps and dialogue?

ML: Yes, roadmaps because it will bind the dictator and hold him more accountable and if he reneges, subject him to the consequences. As for talks, I believe, as a responsible opposition we owe it to ourselves and to the people of Maldives to find a way out of the present impasse. If it entails talks with the government, so be it.

MN: Have MDP conditions for talks been met?

ML: No, Anni and Jenny remain in detention. Other arbitrary, politically motivated arrests and intimidation goes on unabated. Within hours after of the announcement of the Roadmap, Adam Zahir’s Goon Squad is on the rampage, intimidating, torturing and arresting those involved in the widely attended “Women for Women’s Rights” rally. Are these the actions of a regime on the road to a new democracy as the Roadmap claims? I believe not.

MN: So why talk?

ML: Amongst others, our willingness to talk, a) demonstrates goodwill on our part b) it may strengthen the more rational pro-reform elements in the government c) the consequences of complete disengagement can be even worse d) we have nothing much to lose anyway if the government is unreasonable, we have the option to walk out and e) dialogue may help us reshape the ghastly contours of the Roadmap. At a personal level, as a Gandhian who believes strongly in non-violent resistance, I find dialogue an important, effective tool. Yes, despite the shortcomings and reservations, I do welcome the Roadmap as an important development that may hasten MDP’s efforts to bring democracy and freedom to the people of Maldives

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)