Shari Takes To The Streets

Hot off the press today is this texted portrait to MrsB from her very old friend Shari. She is seen demonstrating here in Malé in Maldives, one year since their previous President Nasheed was ousted. He was either coerced-out by bloodless coup or stepped down voluntarily (depending on whose versions of events you subscribe). Popularly known as 'Anni', his resignation was followed by his old Vice President Manik being sworn-in. Nasheed stated the following day that he had been forced out at gunpoint. As it happens MrsB's Sandhurst-trained brother Tholhath was the Defence Minister that day, but he was stripped of office and house-arrested also.

It is only right to report that an independent Maldives Commission of National Inquiry since has ruled that there was no evidence for Nasheed's version, a finding now supported by both US and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Within Maldives though this view is not accepted, and people are taking to the streets again in popular protest, shouting conspiracy and cover-up. Last year, there was a lot of bloody violence in response by the police, so let's hope today people are allowed to protest peacefully. MrsB subscribes to this same view, and today is there on the streets in spirit if not body.

I mentioned the commission report in passing this morning, but this was not that well received. I think I had better zip-it and request the 5th amendment to maintain both domestic and global harmony.