Under former president Nasheed our economy lost direction: Shameem

Speech given at the Unity Rally (held on 24/2/2012) in Support of Interim President Dr Waheed of Maldives by Ahmed Shameem,

Distinguised leaders of all the political parties, ladies and gentlemen.

We, in the Maldives, have always advocated, and raised our voice to call for reform and changes that will improve our lives, changes that will increase social harmony in our society, changes that will expand and strengthen  our economy. But during the last three years, all we have seen is decline. Social harmony that we have always enjoyed, is being challenged by anti Islamic rhetoric. Our economy has lost direction. Monetary and fiscal policies necessary to address the situation are simply missing.

We have been patiently tolerating all these adverse conditions. We have always kept our hopes high.  We have always trusted our leader, to bring about the improvement he kept promising us. But when our government announced its decision to prosecute those who criticize its policies, people began to question the integrity, of a leader who claimed to be a champion of democracy.

When the same leader, Mr. Nasheed ordered the military to kidnap the chief judge of the criminal court, Mr. Nasheeds failure to uphold the constitution became abundantly clear to all  the people of this country.  It was then that the people started to protest his form of democracy. Disregard for the constitution was not something people were prepared to allow or tolerate. The people of Maldives have had enough of autocratic rule and the birth of another dictator was not something we will just sit back, relax and watch.

This is why all the political parties and members of the civil society joined together to form the national unity alliance. It is this alliance that led all the protests and demonstrations that called on Mr. Nasheed to uphold the constitution. These protests went on nonstop for 22 nights, before  Mr. Nasheed decided to resign instead of a promise to upholding the constitution.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are seeing many, in the international community that is calling for early elections,  and even amendments to our constitution,  to facilitate a comeback for Mr. Nasheed. It is regrettable that many, in this international community,  did not pressure Mr. Nasheed to uphold the constitution,  when we were calling for this,  every night. This international community,  are of the opinion,  that Mr. Nasheed is still a popular leader in this country.

I call upon all the parties in this international community,  to witness the events that are unfolding before our eyes today. I call upon them,  to assess the amount of support for the current government,  that is seen here today, when they deliberate about the situation in our country. This international community is calling for early elections to pave the way for a leader who blatantly refused to uphold our constitution. A leader who refused to obey all the courts of this country. A leader who is notorious for lying to his people.

On the other hand, we now have a leader who keeps repeating  his promise to uphold the constitution and never meddle with the judiciary. This same leader, President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has also promised to pave the way for a free and fair election in 2013 according to our constitution. Let us all think very carefully before we decide on the date for elections.

Thank You

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