Tagged: Maldives coup leaders

‘Too many tweets make a twat’?

by Azra Naseem

British Prime Minister, David Cameron, when asked for his views about politicians on Twitter, famously replied: ‘Too many tweets might make a twat.” Cameron was discussing the instantaneousness of modern communication, and the perils of politicians Tweeting without thinking.

It should be said that neither side of the divided Maldivian political landscape are too keen to listen to Cameron right now. The authoritarians have a bone to pick with him for declaring President Nasheed his ‘new best friend’ and ‘ideal stag party-companion’ not long before the coup; and Nasheed’s supporters aren’t happy with him for abandoning his new best friend at the first sign of trouble. But, on lessons about Tweeting, Cameron’s advice is spot on for Maldivian politicians.

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The silent speaker: what role Shahid?

Abdulla Shahid, the speaker of parliament, is pivotal to Maldivian politics. As head of one of the three separate powers that govern us, his actions are of equal importance to those of the Executive and the judiciary. Yet he has remained largely silent through the current crisis, seemingly not in possession of any opinion whatsoever on the matter. Is his silence meant to convey neutrality? Does it?

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