Whose Roadmap is it anyway?

"His struggle for reform and democracy became an inspiration for many Maldivians of varying ages and backgrounds. His efforts led to the birth of a formidable grassroots movement for political and democratic reform in the Maldives. The ensuing movement for democratic space caused the government of the day to launch an agenda for reform and develop a roadmap to install a modern and liberal democracy in the Maldives."

These are words from Gayoom's former information minister and current DRP member Kutti Nasheed's blog.

We hear supporters of the former regime talk a lot about Gayoom's reform agenda and them making out that it was something he bestowed upon the Maldivian people out of his benevolence. They now have the audacity to claim that the current government is reversing the positive changes that HE made.

It is refreshing to hear a high-profile member of the former regime accept that it was President (then activist) Nasheed's efforts and the grassroots movement that he inspired that truly deserves the credit for the reforms. Sure, it was actually the regime that implemented the changes but they were forced to do so by the movement.

Back in the early 90s Gayoom and his gang were faced with a choice. The newsmagazines Sangu and Hukuru were exposing their crimes. Only one could survive- the magazines or the regime. They chose to shut down the free press and incarcerate the new breed of writers and editors (including one Mohamed Nasheed- no not that one!).

When it came to the post 2003/2004 reform movement, the pressure was simply too much for the government to withstand. Once again, the choice was clear: either the regime or the reform movement had to go. Sure, Gayoom tried to swim with the tide. But, dictators cannot be democrats. Reactionaries cannot become reformers overnight.

They simply had to go.