Maldives turns to Tony Blair's wife to improve global image

by Daniel Bosley 

MALE, Maldives 

The Maldives government has announced on Wednesday the appointment of a firm headed by the wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to advise on “democracy consolidation” in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

The Maldives foreign ministry said that Omnia Strategies LLP, founded by Cherie Blair, had been hired to advise on “strengthening the legislative framework of the Government as part of the government’s broader strategy for democracy consolidation in the country.”

The appointment comes at a time when the administration of President Abdulla Yameen faces intense criticism both at home and abroad after a number of prominent opposition leaders were jailed.

The trial of former President Mohamed Nasheed in particular has prompted universal criticism, with both the U.N. and the EU noting serious flaws in due process as the opposition leader was imprisoned for 13 years after a three-week trial over the 2012 detention of a judge.

Amnesty International has repeatedly expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in the county, while senior U.S. senators last week called for a reassessment of bilateral relations.

Blair’s firm, Omnia Strategies, was founded in 2011 and says it offers strategic counsel to governments and private clients.

The Maldives government has previously hired international public relations firms in attempts to reduce damage to its international reputation and maintain the nation's image as a tourist destination. 

The government has continued to reject outside criticism with foreign minister Dunya Maumoon last month calling on the U.N. Human Rights Council to allow space for its young democratic institutions to “grow organically.”

“The Government’s decision to employ an international legal and advisory firm underscores the Government’s commitment to strengthen democratic institutions of the State and to promote a culture of respect for human rights in the Maldives, adhering to international norms, while retaining its unique character,” read a foreign ministry statement released Wednesday.

Record protests in the capital Male last month prompted the government to call for negotiations with opposition leaders in order to ensure “nation building efforts and countrywide development.”

The further arrest of prominent opposition leaders in relation to unrest following the May Day rally, however, has led the opposition to declare the country’s democratic experiment over.

The island nation, best known for its luxury tourism industry, held its first multi-party democratic elections in 2008, with Nasheed emerging the winner over thirty-year ruler Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Gayoom himself had employed New York-based public relations firm Hill & Knowlton to advise him on democratic reforms prior to the implementation of the 2008 constitution.

Nasheed’s term in office, however, ended prematurely as anti-government demonstrations - intensified after the arrest of Judge Abdulla Mohamed - resulted in his resignation in February 2012.

After a Commonwealth-backed investigation into the transfer of  power appeared to dismiss Nasheed’s claims of a coup, elections in 2013 saw Gayoom’s half brother Abdulla Yameen defeat Nasheed to become president.