Dictator of the Month:
November, 2004:Dictator of the Month:
November, 2004:
| Maumoon
Abdul Gayoom
Take me to the picture gallery Fact Sheet Name: Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
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Biography
Born in Male' in 1937 to a middle-class family, he quickly demonstrated a sound academic potential and, following early schooling in the capital, went first to Al-Azhar University in Cairo and later to the city's American University; he obtained an M.A. in Islamic Studies at the former, where he also studied law and philosophy - academic disciplines in which he continued to have a keen interest. His Degree in Islamic Studies earned him an academic appointment as a Lecturer in that discipline to Nigeria's Abdullahi Bayero College, a faculty of Ahmadu Bello University, a post he held from 1969 to 1971. However he returned home to the Maldives soon and began his career of public service. His first important government appointment was that of Manager of the Republic's Shipping Department, which quickly led to his becoming Director of the Telephone Department. By 1974 he had well established his reputation as an able administrator and, consequently, was appointed Special Under-Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister. His first overseas appointment was to the diplomatic post of Deputy Ambassador to neighbouring Sri Lanka. This was followed in two years by his appointment as the Maldives' Permanent Representative to the United Nations. At his recall to Male' in 1977, he was appointed Minister of Transport, and then in November 1978 was nominated as Presidential Candidate by the Citizens' Majlis, winning a record 92.9% of the popular vote in the referendum, he succeeded Ibrahim Nasir as President. He assumed office on 11 November of the same year and on completion of his first 5-year term as president, was re-elected on 30 September 1983 for a second term of office polling a record 95.6% of the popular vote. On 23 September 1988, he was re-elected for a third term of Presidency by the overwhelming majority of 96.4% of the popular vote. On 1 October 1993, he was elected for a fourth term of office winning 92.76% of the popular vote. Again, on 16 October 1998, President Gayoom was elected for an unprecedented fifth term of office with a clear majority of 90.9% of the popular vote. His overwhelming victories in the aforementioned elections should be scrutinized however, as elections in the Maldives are conducted by a public referendum with "yes" and "no" being the only options. It should also be noted that political parties in the Maldives are prohibited and these elections only allow one candidate. Gayoom and his wife Nasreena have four children, two girls, Dunya and Yumna, and two boys, Faris and Ghassan. President Gayoom is a member of the Constituent Council of Rabitat Al-Alam Al-Islami (Muslim World League). He was awarded Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Alighar Muslim University of India in 1983, Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Jamia Millia Islamia of India in 1990 and Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Pondicherry University of India in 1994. He was also awarded the Global 500 Honour Roll by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1988, the International Environment Award by DRV (Travel Agents and Tour Operators Association of Germany) in 1998, and the Man of the Sea Award for 1990 by Lega Navale Italiana in 1991. In addition, he was awarded the Grand Order of Mugunghawa (the highest order of the Republic of Korea) in 1984, Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG) (the highest order accorded to Foreign Dignitaries by the British Monarchy) in 1997, the World Health Organization Health-for-All Gold Medal in 1998 and the Shield of Al-Azhar University of Cairo in 2002. His leisure interests include astronomy, photography, calligraphy, badminton and cricket. Growing dissent Gayoom has been harshly criticized by many for his autocratic rule, and he is widely considered to be a dictator. According to Amnesty International, in the year 2003 "there were severe restrictions on freedom of the press, and political parties were unable to function." Anti-government riots broke out in the country in September 2003 following a prison shooting incident. Opposition to the president has come in the form of the Maldivian Democratic Party. However, many Maldivians believe that the progress the country has achieved in the last two decades would not have been possible without Gayoom's efforts. According to Gayoom's official biography, he became friends after a state visit to Saddam Hussein in Iraq in 1980. Similar to Hussein, some of Gayoom's critics allege that he is not a believer in Islam, and uses Islam as a political tool to increase support. It is also alleged that some islanders actually believe he is third is the holy hierarchy - first Allah, followed by Muhammad and then Gayoom or Kuda Kuda Kalaan'ge, ('little little god', referring to his physical size). Interestingly, Gayoom did publicly condemn Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, although his personal friendship with Hussein continued. The Maldives National Security Service (NSS) is reported to have bought numerous weapons shipments from Iraq, and it is reported that NSS some officers had been trained by Iraq. Opposition to Gayoom charges his regime with employing terror tactics against dissidents such as arbitrary arrests , detention without trial, employing torture, forcing confessions and politically motivated killings. His control over the media is absolute and it is reported that censorship of books in the Maldives is widespread. He is also charged of nepotism by his opposition, with reportedly no less than 8 of his family members in high posts, including his brother, Abdullah Hameed. Recently, it appears that dissent over Gayoom's rule is growing, violent protests and riots with participants numbering 5,000 and even 10,000 have caused Gayoom to declare a state of emergency in the country, this action has given the government the authority to the suspend the certain rights of the constitution and take any steps necessary to maintain peace, including the banning of political demonstration and assembly critical of the government. The government maintains that they do not have any political prisoners
currently jailed and that they are not employing any tactics of repression "Growing Dissent" original article written by www.dictatorofthemonth.com Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maumoon_Abdul_Gayoom http://www.maldivesculture.com/news/maldives_saddam_president03.htm |
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