Thinvana Adu, a coalition of Maldivian NGOs, have sent an open letter to the country’s political leaders, including President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan, voicing concern over what they describe as “irresponsible” allegations made against international bodies seeking to mediate in the current political dispute.
The open letter argues that assistance from the international community is vital in consolidating the rule of law in a young democracy such as the Maldives.
In response to strong criticism of the role the Commonwealth is playing in Maldivian politics from some political leaders, Thinvana Adu has argued that international interest and concern in the Maldives is normal and should not be perceived negatively.
“Instead of fostering hatred among the people toward the international community, the Thinvana Adu group urge the government, stakeholders, and political actors to strengthen relations with international community to achieve sustainable development,” the letter said.
“In a globalised world, one country’s interest is of another country’s concern. No country can remain isolated from the world, especially a country like the Maldives, a country that is economically vulnerable,” it continued.
Ahmed Nizam, spokesman for the Thinvana Adu coalition, said that the open letter hoped to address the “anti-foreign sentiment” that the group had observed in the parliament.
“We feel that most countries in the Commonwealth are friends in the region too. Being a small country with a small population, we are dependent on other countries,” said Nizam.
“Anti-foreign sentiment”
Criticism over the role of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) began shortly after its first statement in March when it called for “the earliest possible expression of the will of the people was required to establish universal faith in the legitimacy of those who govern the [Maldives].”
This statement provoked an “astonished” response from the government. PPM MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla said, “[the] statement is biased and that it harbours the interests of a particular individual”.
State Minister for foreign affairs Dhunya Maumoon added: “My hope is that the UN and other neighbouring countries help the Maldives on its request. It is not for them to impose their interests on us.”
CMAG’s April statement brought even heavier criticism of the government which, in turn, prompted a greater backlash from coalition politicians. The composition and impartiality of the government body tasked with investigating February’s change of power, the Committee of National Inquiry (CNI) was strongly criticised.
CMAG’s threat of “further and stronger measures” should the CNI not be revised within four weeks of the April 16 statement was met with criticism of CMAG’s research methods and arguments that it had not provided assistance when requested.
On April 23, Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) MP Riyaz Rasheed, voiced his support for the country’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth.
“There is no reason to have international relations with a group like this, who don’t even know how to ensure justice,” he said. “I propose to disaffiliate ourselves from the Commonwealth for now.”
After statements from former President Maumoon Gayoom suggested a “rethink” of the Maldives’ need to be part of the Commonwealth Riyaz was joined by Ahmed Ilham of Gayoom’s Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in submitting a bill to withdraw from the organisation.
The bill was submitted on April 29 and had not been considered by the Majlis before it broke for a month’s recess last week although the leader of the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Ahmed Thasmeen Ali, a member of the government’s coalition, declared that his party would not support the bill.
Speaking shortly after being sworn in as Vice President, Mohamed Waheed Deen, said last month that, although the government intended to cooperate with the Commonwealth, he added a warning that outside interference in the Maldives’ domestic affairs would be seen as an “attack on our independence and national sovereignty”.
Voices of dialogue
The repercussions of dislocation from the Commonwealth were described to Minivan News recently by the New Zealand geopolitics consultancy, 36th Parallel Assessments.
The consultancy discussed the case of Fiji, which was suspended from Commonwealth in 2009 after its failure to restore democracy following a military takeover. The group described an “estrangement” from western aid and technical programmes and a shift in attitudes toward investment in the country, citing tourism as a prominent example.
“[Fiji’s] brand of authoritarian government caused aid donor nations and bodies (most significantly donor funds from the European Union) to be cut. Donors became reticent to commit development funds to Fiji, and indeed the Commonwealth member states in the Pacific region used this withdrawal of aid funds as a lever to pressure Fiji to return to democratic rule,” explained Selwyn Manning of 36th Parallel.
Thinvana Adu, whose name translates as ‘Third Voice’, comprises Transparency Maldives, Maldivian Democracy Network, Democracy House, and the Maldives NGO Federation which itself represents 59 organisations.
The letter urged politicians to refrain from isolationism and to work in the best interests of the country rather than personal self-interest.
Instead, the group argues that as much assistance as possible ought to be sought from the international community.
Since the civil society coalition was formed, it has met with government and opposition politicians from both the government coalition as well with Commonwealth, United Nations, and European Union representatives.
The group had hoped to act as observer on the CNI but has decided to step back whilst the appropriate composition of the commission is determined. Nizam explained that the group will write to the CNI today, expressing their continued desire to observe once the CNI is reformed.
The groups professed aim is to enhance dialogue across the political divide that it feels has grown wider since February 7.
The group hopes to hold a public forum at the end of the month which will enable an open discussion of the most important issues afflicting the country.
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