Thousands of protesters gathered in the open area near the tsunami monument in Male’ this afternoon, demonstrating against what they contend is the illegitimate government of Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan.
Numbers were difficult to ascertain as demonstrators spilled out of the open area into side streets and along Boduthakurufaanu Magu in both directions, but may have approached 10,000 at the height of the demonstrations this afternoon.
The afternoon protest had a decidedly carnival atmosphere to it. Maldivians of all ages waved yellow flags and banners, the colour of Mohamed Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), while MDP supporters handed out biscuits and water to the crowd.
Many protesters had come from the islands. Fishing boats bedecked in yellow flags moored off shore, while the occupant of a canoe paddled out and waved a banner. A surfer could be seen wearing a yellow rash vest.
All the former ministers were at the front of the crowd near the stage, including Nasheed, who did not speak this afternoon but was wildly received by the crowd on raising his hand.
The visible police presence was minimal, with uniformed officers only stationed in side streets away from the square. Officers present were taunted by demonstrators yelling “Laari laari yes sir”, in reference to allegations that some officers accepted money to side with the opposition on February 7.
After prayers, the protests continued into the evening from 8:00pm, with the tone of the speakers rising in anger and frustration.
Nasheed’s MDP have refused to recognise a government with Dr Mohamed Waheed at the helm, and have called for an interim government under the Speaker of Parliament with elections to be held in two months.
There were mixed reports about whether calls for early elections had been accepted on Thursday, following mediation. Rumours trickled out of the MDP all day that elections had been agreed during mediation sessions conducted by India’s Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai.
Mathai claimed that the MDP had “reconsidered” its need to rally on Friday after suggestions that elections would be held, and put forward Dr Waheed’s ‘roadmap’ requesting the MDP’s cooperation in a National Unity Government, which would “work towards the conditions that will permit such elections to take place including the necessary constitutional amendments.”
Dr Waheed appeared less committal towards early elections in a press conference held yesterday for foreign media: “I believe the conditions have to be right. We have to have a calm atmoshpere, we have to address some of the deep rifts that we have in the political situation in the country, and then move towards free and fair election,” he claimed.
Halting street clashes, he said, was “not the only factor”.
“There is an economic factor here – our financial situation is not great and it hasn’t been for the last couple of years. We need to have guarantees that we are going to respect the rule of law, that we are going to uphold the Constitution and our judiciary is going to be independent – that it is going to be in such a way that anyone who fears justice deserves justice. If you don’t have justice, how can you go ahead?” Dr Waheed said.
Nasheed resigned on Tuesday February 7 under what he later claimed was duress. Earlier that morning, opposition protesters, aided by elements of the police and military, assaulted the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) headquarters and took over the state broadcaster.
Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) rallied its supporters the following afternoon. A police crackdown on the protesters followed, leading to other protests across the country, and subsequent retaliations for the destruction of police property.
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JJ; I don't think this protest has more than 8000 people. They aren't that many as you are trying to demonstrate. Anyways the supporters of MDP are not the majority of this country, the majority of this country's population are now wih the other political groups except MDP. There is no way that MDP will win an election.
there were more than 18,000 people at around 5:30pm, at the height of the protest. Yasir, there never as few people as you are trying to establish. It may be a little sour for you to digest, but it's the truth.
Yasir; MDP will win the election BECAUSE MDP is 1 Party with 1 Candidate, I will bet my life that the opposition cannot put out a united front with 1 Single Candidate.
And that's the sad reality but sooner or later, even if it takes another 30 years, you will see it when the election ends.
As for numbers,there was more than 8000 (take a photo from haveeru.com.mv and start counting, cuz I was there).But does it really matter as I said before, MDP is 1 single party and the rest will break apart just as they always do here in the Maldives (reference: Maldives History)..sad but true
-Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.
Dalai Lama-
@Yasir
You're assuming something you aren't sure of.
People gathered somewhere don't give you election outcome. Think of it this way - for every person gathered there - has about 5 or more of common thinking friends.
Lets assume that 8000 people will fit a square feet of 8400. A little more than 1 square feet for each person.
Do you think the area covered is around that much. I think it's more.
How about people who chose to visit and leave for the day - also represents voting power.
30,000 maybe
30,000 * 5 friends = 150,000 just like that.
That's my take on your 8000 people theory.
Yasir not feeling too good. Aren't you? Let's see who is the majority by holding an election. When someone starts a sentence with anyway you can be sure it means anyway the grapes are sour.
Eat your heart out. DEMOCRACY IN THE MALDIVES WILL PREVAIL
YOU MUST BE BLIND, DEAF AND STUPID YASIR!
There are a couple of spaces left on the cabinet for someone like you..
Nasheed is a Traitor to this nation!forget winning an election, if he ever gets power in this country again in any way blood will be shed and we will f8 til the last breath to eliminate MDP for attacking our culture and religeon.
What he is preaching is not democracy.It is the divide and rule philosophy wat his friends the British are famous for.The double faced cocaine addict is inciting violence and hate and there is no other term but terrorism for dat.
I am surprised that the 'big' demonstration of MDP is going smoothly.
I am further surprised that ALL the opposition groups are quiet and letting MDP do whatever they want. Infact the police have unusually appealed not to impede the demonstration.
I am curious that recorded audios and videos of Pres Nasheed's final hours are coming out one by one every day.
But why are the anti-MDP coalition so quiet? Do they have an upper hand, perhaps some kind of an incriminating evidence...
Lets them protest, but 75% of Maldivians we don't want an early election for any reason, to elect another incompetent leader like Nasheed. What we see today in Maldives is nothing but Nasheed,s failure to reconciliation and deliberation in any political issue related to people of the Maldives.
Thanks to show us what is going on in Male, we lived in Male, you can see on YouTube the videos why waheed is the president, he used the Army force to get it, very shame, no more tourist for Male, if waheed is president.
“I believe the conditions have to be right. We have to have a calm atmoshpere, we have to address some of the deep rifts that we have in the political situation in the country, and then move towards free and fair election,” he claimed.... this quote from Waheed really sounds scary.. after seeing how the police attacked innocent civilians old, young female and male... and how the police have been threatening arrests on 3 tv channels, how the army is showing off.. only can mean arresting and beating up enough people to achieve this calm state he talks about.. what ever it is.. people are more upset now because of the violence demonstrated on the streets by defecting police and army.. after three years of its absence.... most people in Male are still in shock... the MDP remembers that this was the same level of brutality that they resisted for so long.. Dr Waheed has ben downplaying it altogether never once expressing his concern in public today.. he has yet to begin an investigation and has coerced the police integrity commission to soften....
the police are still arresting people for what happened in the aftermath of the brutal police attack on thousands of demonstrators in Male, tried to assassinate a President Nasheed by police chasing him and cornering him to a mob armed with sticks and bars near Gayoom's residence Endherimaage.... all this dr waheed has not addressed. Mohamed Nasheed won a popular vote of the people of this country to win the first election in the history of Maldives where more than one candidate could contest freely.. what ever your educational certificates, you have shown you are a man with no principles and no humanity at all.... so hungry for such pettiness and shallowness.. .. on top of the bloody and brutal mess you created.. you have also stained Maldives in the eyes of the world in irrevocarable ways.. and wounded its people beyond belief...
"If you don’t have justice, how can you go ahead?” Dr Waheed said
Precisely. You can’t. Pity he didn’t say that when he was our elected Vice President.
Not one word from Dr Waheed when the Supreme Court violated Article 149 (d) of the Constitution which requires the enactment of a Judges Act to appoint judges and appointed judges before the enactment of the Judges Act.
.
In the report published by the Office of the President, Government of the Maldives A LEGACY OF AUTHORITARIANISM: A Dossier on the Maldivian Judiciary (February 2012), we see the blatant violation of our constitution by the Supreme Court,
“Article 141 of the 2008 Constitution established the Supreme Court as the highest authority for administering justice in the country and provided a transitional period of two years. The transitional provisions chapter of the Constitution conferred interim arrangements for the Judiciary. An interim Supreme Court was established consisting of five Justices. This arrangement was to remain in place until the establishment of the Supreme Court as provided under article 145 of the Constitution. The number of justices of the Supreme Court must be specified in a law passed by the People's Majlis to enable the proper formation of the Supreme Court. Article 149(d) of the Constitution requires the enactment of this Judges Act.
Two months before the end of the transition period, on 8 June 2010, and prior to the passing of a law relating to judges, the interim Supreme Court sent a letter to the President stating that the interim Justices would remain permanently on the bench, securing their tenure, although there was no legal procedure for such an action under the Constitution or any
other law. This self proclamation in the absence of an enacted law specifically mentioned in article 149(d) of the Constitution, forced the President to declare the Supreme Court bench defunct on 7 August 2010.
In response to the closure of the Supreme Court, the Majlis passed the law required by article 149(d), the Judges Act, on 10 August 2010. The same day, the President ratified the Act, and the Supreme Court was immediately open and functioning.
Dr Waheed speaks of rule of law and yet he was silent when rule of law was not honoured by the Supreme Court of the Maldives.
Neither Dr Waheed nor his party spoke up as the highest authority for administering justice in the country undermined the rule of law
And not one word from Dr Waheed when Judge Abdulla released those accused of murder, sexual abuse, child abuse, corruption, disturbance of peace.
Not one word from Dr Waheed when Judge Abdulla Mohamed refused to give warrants for the arrests of criminals.
Or when he issued a court order to block the questioning of Dr Jameel by the Police.
When he did speak, he spoke against President Nasheed‘s action to detain Judge Abdullah.
Walk your talk, Dr Waheed.
Judge for yourself if this is man you can trust.
Of course, nay sayers will never accept facts. What's the difference between 10000 and 8000? Some people can't event count. Never mind, their IQ can't handle this sort of thing.
There is only one sure way to find out where the "majority" of the population is with. Hold elections! Scared? I bet!
They say if you want to be a politician you must have the capacity to go for the jugular.
Dr Waheed has demonstrated he has the capacity to go for the jugular.
Let us see who he stabs next.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17070459
"The ousted president still commands significant popular support..."
Enough said.
dont spread lies. this wasnt even close to 8000. i have seen this with my own eyes. i was there from evening to midnight. you forgot to mention one point in this article - MDP hav brought some expatriate workers in male for this demonstration by offering some cash. shame...
Yasir, The thing remains to be seen and only elections will tell.
Agree with Yasir. MDP has successfully alienated itself from a large section of the population by doing lots of small mistakes. It will take a lot of effort to win the trust of the people.
If there were to be an election tomorrow its very likely that MDP will fail.
What a sad situation here. The maldives has a golden opportunity to lift itself out of a third world situation and into a prosporous world of strong economic growth and high living standards for all its people.
The one true and beautiful asset they have is the country itself ! There should be a determined effort to remove religion away from politics and let the politicians get on with the job of creating wealth for ALL the people of the country . This can only be achieved by freeing up the economy and allowing people to to be in control of their own morals and commitments to there own god, not have radical views determining the future of a country. The Maldives has now come to a fork in the road,they must determine which direction they are going to take, the road to freedom, self determination and prosperity for all their people OR the road to radicalised destruction ?
MDP is no longer a Party. Its a cult like the cult of former Maumoon. We all fought for a cause in 2008 with MDP. MDP then has a cause. Just after coming to power things changed. Day by day it kept on changing. The very values we believed were undermined. It became a regime of Nsheed and his cronies just like Maumoon. MDP started as a grassroot party but was hijacked by a group of uneducated corrupt individuals. Nasheed lost his government trying to save the interest of these few people. MDP should make Nasheed accountable for what happened to the party.
msg to all maumoon activists. Isah allah the Former president nasheeed will win on wat they are doing and they will win on the ellection too. He is great president. Thank you.
Here is my calculation:
According to MinivanNews, this protest gathered 10000 people (at its peak) - This includes some people from nearby islands as well.
The number of people gathered at 23rd December protest was 25000 people (according to several sources). This does not include people protesting separately in other islands.
Now, assuming the above figures represent the whole voting population:
the percentage support for MDP
= (10000/(10000+25000))*100
= 29% (approx.) with an error of +/- 5%.
That is predicted MDP support will be between 24% and 34%.
Interestingly this figure closely rally with the last presidential election - i.e. MDP only got 24% at that time.
Based on my calculation, I do not think it is advantageous for MDP to call for an early election.
@ Anni,
You can not bribe that many people - not even Gasim has enough money for that. Besides, the MDP does not have to do what they did on 23rd December - ship in people and pay them.
You have just woken every man, woman and child who was disinterested in democracy and politics and angered them. This is the adrenaline charge the MDP needed to get back on track. I am switching to them now.
Election now!!!
Why this fixation with the number of people at the tsunami monument area on Friday and Saturday?
There is an easy way to gauge the popularity of the present government and its coalition partners. Elections. The sooner, the better.
All these people are saying that Anni or mdp will lose an election now.So isn't it very good news for Waheed and others?It they are so sure of winning then they should hold immediate elections and beat mdp and send them into oblivion.
Why are they so scared to hold elections now? These people who criticise do not make any sense.Sure they made a lot of mistakes but they cannot come up with a logical reason and a legal way to remove Anni.
MINIVANNEWS has people like JJ and other white chaps to spread the propaganda of MDP. JJ and likes cannot independently report the corruption (over night wealth since november 2008)and inhuman acts of MDP leaders like Rekko Moosa, Mariya etc. MINIVANNEWS was blind and deaf when ex president Nasheed arrested unconsitutionally chief judge Abdulla (ofcourse he had issues) while MDP was to loose 4 parliament seats if these MP's were sentenced like MP Mustafa who had huge debts not paid! THIS IS WHY NASHEED wanted to put his big iron fist into judiciary! NOT FOR REFORM! NASHEED WAS RUNNING A GOVERNMENT FOR MARIYA, REKKO MOOSA, SARANGU ADAM MANIK ...AND THE LIKES! NOT FOR CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY! MAY GOD SAVE THIS COUNTRY AND MDP FROM THESE ELITE THUGS AND CORRUPTORS!! IF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THINKS YOU CAN REASON WITH THIS MDP THUGS, TRY YOUR LUCK. YOU ARE CREATING A MONSTOR!
JJ is paid handsomely to report the PROPAGANDA OF MDP ONLY!!!
I had initially voted the coalition government that MDP sold, was very diilusioned with some of the policies these last three years, and was considering not voting in the next election as there was no one worthy. But that all has changed with the military coup. Nazim ansd Riyaz do not have the right to impose a government on me! This and the brutality they showed on 7th and 8th of this month is sufficient fora me to vote Nasheed into office again! A the least he will not be brutal
2012 Maldives MDPSpeak:
Democracy= Rule of Kerafa Klan
Justice= The Kerafa Klan and their Klose Associates should never be inonvenienced in any way by any judicial process.
Freedom= Supporters of KK should be able to commit battery, arson etc with impunity.
Has Maldivian not come under Arabic influenced, barbaric and mystical person for 30 years, the Maldives would have achieved huge improvements. Maldivian were fearless and strong hard working people, living against all odds. They traveled all around the world on high seas and survived the most hash environment that any human ever lived. The nature of this good people was changed once this man brought all fantasies and indoctrinated them to live for imaginary life after death and made them to believe the life on earth is useless. Everybody should support MDP to bring back the lost pride to make Maldives what it was before, and create a generation of 21st century who live head high with freedom and dignity, who are fearless, brave hard working, sincere to all human being without any prejudice and accept all human as brothers and sisters.
All those who are sure MDP will not win an election, why don't you also join the calls for early election. That way the people you support will gain power through legitime means, and once and for all Nasheed will be out of power via the ballot boxes, not guns.
For me this is not about Nasheed anymore, this is about democracy our right to vote, about being able to protest without the fear of police beating us up. I won't stand by and watch when a Nazim, Riyaz and a handful of other people choses who the leader of this country should be. And all those who support this kind of change of govt, why don't your just appoint Nazim and Riyaz to vote on your behalf every time?
my sincere pray, may MDP win the election, without any coalition with other political parties, amin..
i do support Anni goverment, his govt was much better than maoumun..
may MDP win ya Allah, amin...
may these coup leaders will go to jaill, amin...
@ Yasir: How many demonstrators were there when 200 paid police joined them and brought about the coup? If you are sure of your assumptions, you should wish for the legitimacy of your preferred government and urge them to hold elections.
@ anthu: Not sure if your numbers are right there, but there has been a major event in between the two demonstrations. Look at Goldilocks' post.
I thought we were arguing about policies at the time, but in fact, the people behind the present government were still undermining the rules and democratic environment.
Opposition u can beat us threaten spread false news using champa and villa but u cant fool the public no more if mdp with their supporters come out to the street next time u can only hold us back with bullets , that i guarantee and remember hassan saeed and jameela u alone beat ure addu comrades u will see the bitterness when thy come to male' or wherever u may-be they will come for u . U can have 100 army personell with u but u cant BEAT THE LIVIN CRAP OUT OF US AND SLEEP SOUND AT NIGHT....
I am sure what Yasir meant was there were about 8000 MDP supporters, excluding the bangladeshi labourers who joined the friday funfair.
Nisha, I agree with you. This is not about Nasheed. This is about democracy, and justice. This is about us, our children, and our future, to live without fear and freedom and peace.
For three years we stood by as the Judiciary played cat and mouse with the Executive. We were powerless against the judges who blocked warrants for arrests, released criminals, released people who were abusing our children and women, and blocked every attempt by the Executive to address corruption.
Our Judicial system was hijacked by a group of people loyal to Gayoom and his associates. Everyone knows that. In Dr Waheeds own words in a recent interview he says "Without justice you cannot do anything".
I find it unacceptable that during his time as Vice President he did not speak up when the Supreme Court violated rule of law and appointed judges for life before the Judges Act was passed. I find it unacceptable that as Vice President he did not speak up for the families who had suffered violence at the hands of gangsters criminals and murderers and who could do nothing as Judge Abdulla released the perpetrators back into the community. I find it unacceptable that he kept silent as the opposition in parliament dragged the Legal Reform bills including the Penal Code as long as they have. I find it unacceptable that when he finally did speak it was for the rights of a judge who has brought so much pain and suffering to our people.
Dr Waheed has said he did so to protect rule of law. If it was rule of law that led him him to condemn the detention of this judge, why then did he not speak up at the time when the Supreme Court violated rule of law and created all the difficulties that Nasheed had to deal with to bring justice to our people? Why did he not speak up when the JSC failed to take action for two years to investigate Judge Abdulla and then put his case on the back burner when the High Court ordered the JSC to halt the investigation? Why did he not question how the watch dog of the judiciary can take orders from the judges they were appointed to regulate?
This is double speak from a man I expected a lot more. I am very disappointed.
Dr Waheed's commitment as a Maldivian and as the Vice President that the people elected should have been to restoring integrity and protecting the rights of our people. To support the President and advocate amending the constitution where it was unworkable.
Unfortuantely for Dr Waheed, and for all of us, he missed the boat to make a difference. Again.
Do you think MDP would accept defeat in an election? I do not think so... They would always put blame on maumoon
It's good to see such a large protest against the coup d'etat.
On the Class Basis of the Maldives Coup and the Internationalist Socialist Response
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/02/17/18707597.php
All these people who name themselves ADDU shud be ashamed!Not all the people of Addu are as ignorant as you lot.These British imperialists had tried to fool them decades back by brainwashing afeef and they failed big time because the silent community of Addu are the real ones with the brains and principle rather than the hooligans who are sadists who will side with any1 and be a traitor to even their own mother to overcome thier own shortcomings and failures in life.Bring Nasheed back and rebuild a Church again in ur backyard for Prince Andrew to worship on his trips there.Friends of Maldives my foot, Freinds of the church rather.
There were hundreds of bangladeshis in there, MDP had even made them hold placards for them. Poor bangladeshi workers in this country who cannot read a letter of english were been scapegoated to show the world as they are MDP supporters. Only MDP can do such cheap things. You are using foreigners to increase the number of youre protesters. What a shame and how disgusting are you all. No matter what there will be no elections before 2013. The country is in safe hands under Dr Waheed. And remember even after 2013, you wont be leading this country, means you wont win the next election because the majority of this country doesnt support a terrorist group like MDP anymore.
JJ is a puppet reporter! He is just paid to do the job of MDP mob who has hijacked MDP at the expense of poor MDP members!! What a shame!! JJ cannot report the corruption involvment of Rekko Moosa, Mariya and drunk nature of Sarangu Adam as he fears his job!! Anni and Gayoom needs to resign from Politics!! And leave Maldives peaceful! Both of these so called leaders are controled by mobs who are just greedy for more money and power!! Nothing else matters!! wake up!!
Yasir , a bit sour grapes in your mouth perhaps ?
Nihan, do the responsible thing. if you know about the corruption of these people report it to the Anti Corruption Commission or bring it to the attention of the MDP Party President Dr Didi. We do not want corrupt politicians representing MDP.
Yup there are many people but they aren't the majority... plus it's a fact that there were expatriates forced to join the gathering. The photo's are all over the Facebook.
Islanders have also joined this gathering. It's a pity but obviously this is MDP's maximum.
I support for peace.
I support for a united government, i.e. including MDP.
This country is more important that one person.
This country is more important than a former president.
Let there be peace!
...btw I don't think an election is going to solve anything.
Even if they loose the lot won't stop. MDP will still find a way for destruction and arson. My God... just look at the status of Addu 'CITY'!
No Maldivian should support a military coup. Even if you have your own interest. It is plain wrong. And injustice will not prevail. You all will see this very soon.
Im surprised some people are letting this coup government establish in this country.
Go for a vote. let the people decide. There are 1000s of neutrals like me, who will accept whoever wins a free election.
Any future elected president should then bring in everyone aboard his government. Forget personal hostilities. Forget everything.
This country is too small to be split. Work together. Im sure MDP DRP PPM and everyone CAN work together. After all its OUR country, our children, our future.
An election is the best way to neutralize the situation and move forward.
Ahmed!!!
Report to MDP party president? What a joke!! You know Dr.Didi is just a dummy and a puppet! He is not in any control!! Dictator Nasheed and his girl friend Mariya has all the control with their dummies in Qaumee Majlis! Please watch and ask Dr.Didi!! Its so obvious! Dr Didi is too afraid speak openly! He has not guts! MDP is controlled by those who control the street thugs! its as simple as that!
Your second sugguestion was to report to Anti Corruption..since when did anti Corruption ever close a case?
this country is totally insane now!!
jj. love you love you love your bias reports. I support early election. Vote for Dr. Didi.
I AM A SRI LANKAN.MALEDIVES IS OUR NEIGHBOURING COUNTRY. MOST OF THE MALEDIVIANS COME TO OUR COUNTRY FOR EDUCATION, MEDICINE AND OTHER NECERCITIES. INSULTING AND DISTROYING OUR NATIONAL SYMBOLS HOW CAN YOU COME TO SRI LANKA. MALEDIVIANS ARE OLSO FUNDERMENTELISTIC ISLAMIANS WHO DO NOT TOLERATE OTHER CULTURES LIKE TALEBANS IN AFGANISTAN. . “The Sri Lanka monument was erected at an isolated area in Maradhoo Hankede Ibut last night the monument was put on fire. It was not clear who have damaged the monument and there were no reports any arrests relating to the attack.
The Sri Lanka monument depicts the country’s national symbol lion which do not relate to any religious mark.
Ten monuments were erected in Addu during the November 10-11 SAARC summit in which 7 monuments representing SAARC countries.”