Mohamed Nasheed, former President of Maldives, speaks at a politically rally in May 2013. Nasheed has been charged with abuse of power during his rule, and his ability to run in September’s presidential election is in question. Photo: file photo via Haveeru Online
Last April I wrote about the tiny island nation of Maldvies, and its embattled former President Mohamed Nasheed. After a brief foray into democracy, it seems that Maldives has slid back to the political bullying of its past.
Nasheed claims to have been deposed by force in February 2012; the current government — which has strong ties to ex-dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom — considers the regime change completely legitimate (no surprise there).
The animosity does not end there. Fast forwarding one year to February 2013 finds Nasheed taking refuge in the High Commission of India (equivalent of an embassy) in Maldives. He holed up there for 10 days fearing the government would arrest him for actions taken while he was (briefly) president related to detaining a federal judge, also described in my article last year.
Nasheed departed the Indian on the understanding he would be able to conduct political activities freely — then he was promptly arrested (in early March 2013). If convictedm, he would be ineligible to run for president in elections called for Sept. 7 this year.
What has happened since Nasheed’s arrest is a little murky. U.S. media coverage of events in the Maldives has been scant to see the least; the last update from CS Monitor via Reuters is the article linked to above, which is now over two months old. The most recent article on The New York Times’ Maldives country page is from last October.
In early April 2013 the Asia-focused news site The Diplomat reported on EU, U.S. and Indian concerns over the developments, and how an election without Nasheed’s participation would be considered illegitimate. However, both the U.S. and India quickly recognized the government of Maldives after Nasheed’s ouster.
Maldivian news sources have shed some light. It appears legal processes to bring Nasheed to trial have gotten bogged down in hearings and appeals. Nasheed was able to travel to Denmark in April to attend a climate conference. He also spoke to the Danish parliament about the rising influence of Islamic extremism in Maldives. His comments received criticism from certain elements of parties included in the current ruling coalition government (again, not exactly a shock).
At least Nasheed seems to not be detained — that’s something. He spoke at a political rally on May 9, 2013 where he boldly (defiantly?) predicted his opposition Maldivian Democratic Party would easily win September’s presidential election- in which he appears convinced he will be a participant.
It appears the government of Maldives is up to its old tricks again. It is hard to believe the case against Nasheed is not politically motivated. I hope leading governments and global organizations — including the Western media — pay close attention to political developments over the next four months leading up to the elections, and entice those in power to allow Nasheed (and any other candidate that wishes to) to run. If this doesn’t happen, the election should not be considered open and fair, and would be proof that democracy has lost its way in the troubled island nation.
