Breaking News: Foreign Minister resigns

21 August 2007
Report: Soodh

Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed has resigned from his powerful post today and President Gayoom has accepted his resignation. The news of Dr. Shaheed's resignation has been there for some time following the sudden resignation of his colleagues Attorney General Dr. Hassan Saeed and Justice Minister Mohamed Jameel on 5 August. The three ministers who were known to be founders of New Maldives have created many enemies since they became prime movers of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's reform agenda.

Dr Shaheed has said he has very good relationship with the President and his resignation is in no way as a result of a rift between the President. He said President has been doing lot of work for reform and only some conservatives in the Majlis and cabinet are obstructing the reform. Shaheed has praised the President and said that he does not want to be grilled unduly by corrupt politicians. He also said that Presdent Gayoom must avail of the good opportunity to gracefully leave office in the same manner as South Africa's revered President Nelson Mandela.

During the last days of campaigning for the system of Government, the news of Dr. Shaheed's resignation became talk of the country following some sms messages which spread all over last Thursday. But Dr Shaheed denied the story and he was seen with President Gayoom at a DRP rally that evening. Shaheed confirmed at the rally he has not relinquished his duties and he has raised concern to the President of being bullied by corrupt politicians.The highly vocal young foreign Minister said President has assured him that corrruption would be rooted out.

Dr. Shaheed's resignation has come just a day before the People's Majlis debating a no-confidence motion on him. His opponents are ready to give a tough fight following his attack on the Majlis as a failed institution. There are indications that the no-confidence motion will receive support of at least 20 members which will give a huge blow on the Foreign Minister. Although Dr. Shaheed is assured by the ruling DRP Party that the vote will be defeated, it appears he has preferred to avoid a humiliating attack by opposition members. Earlier this month Dr. Shaheed received a severe retaliation by the Majlis following his attack on the Majlis as the biggest failure of the country in the past 40 years. Shaheed has said it is the President who has taken all democratic and reform measures while the Majlis has utterly failed in protecting human rights and initiating reform. Majlis members were angered by Shaheed's accusations and condemned Shaheed severely as unfit to be a foreign minister and irrational in not recognising the great deal of work Majlis has done to ignite present reform process.

There was speculation in the political spectrum that the high confidence Dr. Shaheed has received from President Gayoom was shaken following the departure of his Hassan Saeed and Jameel. The two former ministers gave a surprise interview to the Press where they said President's reform agenda has failed and accused the President of not being sincere to the reform programme. They said many reform measures which they have processed have been obstructed. Saeed also said he does not feel President Gayoom can stand for election to another term which he said is contrary to the objectives of the reform agenda.

But President Gayoom responded that he has decided to stand election on the advice of Dr. Hassan Saeed. Many thought the resignation of Hassan Saeed and Jameel was a serious blow to the President and will have a negative impact on the President in the referendum for government system. However the referendum gave a 62 percent lead to the Presidential system which Mr. Gayoom's DRP has backed. Political analysts saw the result as a strong mandate President Gayoom has received from the people. But opposition MDP has alleged the referendum was rigged and rejected the outcome.

Some analysts saw the resignation of three high profile ministers in less than a month as a severe blow on the President and his reform programme. But given the success of the referendum and renewed mandate of the President, others believe that the President's authority will be revitalised with a reshuffle of the cabinet which is expected to bring some former powerful ministers and new faces.

There is wide speculation that State Foreign Minister and President's long standing confidante Abdullah Shahid who has been assigned to be in charge of Foreign Ministry will be given the important portfolio. Shahid has taken a low profile and critical of the government after his junior collleague Shaheed's appointment as Foreign Minister on 14 July 2005.

Velidhoo Community
Courtesy: Miadhu