Where is the Vice President?

Since the election of Nasheed as President we have barely heard Vice President Dr. Waheed talk (even at a small press conference). Dr. Waheed is often seen standing behind Nasheed (like a poodle) when Nasheed conducts certain ceremonies. What we are seeing is Ibrahim Hussain Zaki (the Special Envoy of the President) taking a more central stage.

Zaki is seen to be playing the role of the Vice President and the real Vice President is seen to be a personal assistant to the President (more like a secretary). I would bet my humble possessions that Zaki is more powerful in the government than the Vice President.

I respect Zaki and I appreciate the role he played in maintaining the strength of MDP during hard times too. But I think it will be folly for President Nasheed to listen to Zaki’s every word as if that’s a revelation! Zaki is a relic from Gayyoom’s old regime, and despite whatever good that he may have done, we will never be able to cut ourselves from the past and soar to new heights as long as we are anchored to the past by people such as Ibrahim Hussain Zaki.

I don’t mind Zaki being in the government but I would like to see Dr. Waheed play a more apparent and effective role in the policy formulation and interact more with the people. I would also like to see Nasheed become more a man of his own rather than feel anchored by “personalities” such as Zaki, Gasim and even Mausoom!