:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Gayyoom: A man for all hypocrisies

OPINION by "Jabir" - Saturday, 21st August 2004

We've seen Gayyoom the student, the Arab, the teacher, the lover, the father, the husband, the minister, the rebel, the schemer, the protestor, the prisoner, the exile, the "President", the brother, the legislator, the torturer, the dictator, the judge, the cleric, the grandfather, the preacher, the poet, the stargazer, the writer, the yachtsman, the podgy bespectacled little man, the despot, the uniformed commander, the swordsman.

Now it’s time for another tagline for Asia's longest-ruling "leader". Mr. Gayyoom, the unwavering Democrat. Yes, it is true. Gayyoom has finally converted to Democracy and he is requesting Albright's help in revamping the Maldivian political system.

Thank Allah! Gayyoom, it appears, has finally woken up from his long, despotic and nepotic slumber! After all these years. These lost years. It's all good if this man has come to his senses. All gratitude is due only to those who died, went to self-exile, went to prison, went bankrupt, endured torture and beating, did time in solitary confinement. This time, the blood and the lives were not all lost in vain after all. Heartfelt congratulations to the newly convert, my friends! I present the freshly baptized democrat, Mr. Gayyoom of Maldives. If only the Pope will convert to Islam.

Mr. Gayyoom is at his hypocritical best here. This little man has no shame. After 25 years of cannibalistic plunder, torture, and oppression he realises Democracy is good? Democracy is good when he's about to be denuded on the world stage for the brutal crackdown on thousands of peaceful protestors and detaining over 200 Maldivians.

If Gayyoom understands that converting to Democracy is not like converting to Islam. The "clean slate" principle does not hold here, Gayyoom. This political revamping must include your trial for 25 years of treason and murder. You can't have your cake and eat it, you greedy vermin.