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Salutes to Former President Mohamed Nasheed

 
Former President Gayoom and Former President Nasheed at President Yameen's Presidential inauguration ceremony

Former President Mohamed Nasheed showed exemplary courage and professionalism earlier today,  showing up at the Presidential Inauguration ceremony. Yet again teaching Maldivians the values of true democracy. Something Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom restrained from in 2008. Gayoom and Nasheed were seen sitting together at the ceremony where President Abdullah Yameen was sworn in to office, giving hope to a divided Maldives. 

Nasheed who introduced and advocated democratic principles against a 30 year old authoritarian Gayoom regime through Maldivian Democratic Party continues showing examples and keeps on surprising Maldives even today.

President Yameen, half brother of Gayoom won the elections defeating the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate former President Mohamed Nasheed with the help of a ‘Gulhigen’ (together) coalition that consisted of all major political players and parties in the country by his side. Among the members of the this supper coalition include major player Qasim Ibrahim and his Jumhooree Party (JP), Adhaalath Party, Maldivian Development Alliance (MDA), Qaumee Party (QP), Peoples Alliance (PA), Maldivian Industrial Alliance (MIA) and Islamic Democratic Party.

Nasheed who won the first multiparty democratic elections in the country in 2008 beating long time authoritarian President Gayoom was forced out of office in early 2012, as Maldives observed a change of government on 7th February 2012. Continuous protests brought  Nasheed's Presidency to a brink, and 7th February Mutiny became the end for the first democratically elected President of the country. With Mohamed Nasheed's resignation, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Maniku, took oath of office as the President, of course as per the Constitution. The following day Maldives woke up to hear allegations and conspiracy of a Coup d'état. "By all definitions it was a Coup" Nasheed spoke out. Spending the last 21 months calling for elections and restoration of a legal Presidency in the Maldives, Nasheed campaigned through out the Maldives.

Nasheed's strong will and positive approach has saved Maldives from violent outbreaks on various occasion during the last few years. When the biased Commission of National Inquiry setup by Former President Waheed, who the allegations were being made at, to investigate the change of government and the events of 6th, 7th and 8th February 2012, Nasheed was seen on TV accepting its finding, controlling angry MDP activists and others who were otherwise ready to do whatever it took to claim back the country. 

Nasheed stressed on the importance of democratic principles and spoke of people power and elections. His desire to hold elections and letting the nation decide fate from ballot papers kept the country striving forward without leading to a possible unpredictable civil rebellion movement. Nasheed is seen stronger than ever before as he congratulated President Yameen and requesting MDP to become an exemplary opposition. 

Nasheed spoke just after unofficial results confirmed Yameen as President Elect, accepting and taking responsibility for defeat, congratulating the new President. Told Maldives that it was indeed a happy moment in the country that a free and fair independent elected concluded electing a legitimate President. 

Sometimes its strange to understand where courage can come from, specially for a man like Nasheed who has suffered a lot in the repressive 30 years Gayoom regime. Humble in victory and gracious in defeat as Haveeru would translate Nasheeds words, Nasheed has called MDP to function as a sincere Opposition party.

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