For most people, the name Maldives brings to mind pictures of never-ending stretches of luscious white sandy beaches warmed by the sun, disappearing on all sides into waters glimmering in every shade of blue and green. But for the natives of Maldives, the country is more than just an archipelago created on this earth as a haven for scuba divers and the Brad Pitts of the world to languidly vacation at.

The island nation of Maldives, scattered like precious gems on the Indian Ocean, may have a GDP nearly twice that of the neighbouring country of India which dwarfs it both by total area and population, but the country seems to be dying a slow death under the torturous and never-ending regime of its president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. The celebrations over the recent multi-party presidential elections have almost smouldered completely with hope fading from nearly every face as the people begin to realise, yet again, that it may become impossible to make the current president give up the reins of the country. An astonishingly shocking revelation made by the favoured opposition party, MDP, reveals that as a last attempt to gain his losing control over the country, Gayoom has opted to practically sell the country over to his younger brother, Abdulla Yamin.

In an obvious violation of the constitution of the country and international laws, Gayoom appears to have signed an agreement with People’s Alliance leader Yamin giving his party 25 percent of Gayoom’s cabinet and wide control over all government agencies. Titled ‘Agreement on Political Cooperation’, the papers would act as an MOU between the two parties and clearly state the formation of a six member committee (which includes Gayoom and Yamin) that would overlook the running of the whole country. How only six members plan to run a country, even one as small as the Maldives, all on their own without even the support of the cabinet is a feat worthy only of the likes of Dumbledore.

After the first stage of the first ever multi-party elections in the country, five of the six opposing parties joined together in a surprising show of national unity in hopes of ousting dictator Gayoom. Yet, it is unbelievable that even after thirty years of single-handedly ruling over the nation and the word ‘resign’ resounding from every corner of the country, President Gayoom still dares to hold on steadfastly to the delusion that he is the most desired candidate for the post of president.

The second stage of the presidential elections would be held on the 28^th of this month and would decide the future president of Maldives. Is the Maldives doomed to bear another five years with Gayoom and side-kick Yamin or would they finally see a new face? With accusations of the votes being rigged during the first round, the deciding vote may not make any difference for this struggling nation; or perhaps it would, with citizens swearing to take to the streets if Gayoom is elected. Perhaps only complete destruction of Gayoom and his family can save the country, and the hot blooded natives of the country have been pushed to the point of attempting to do so. Whether Gayoom succeeds or not, it is left to doubt if the result of the election would be due to rigging or as a result of the clouded brains of the people of the drug capital of Asia.

Via: Miadhu

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