When plans come apart at the seams the heads of state of Maldives always resort to the oldest trick in politics: cover it all up with flamboyant accolades intended to make themselves look good.

When Maumoon was having a hard time convincing people of his value to the nation he sought to be recognized at par with world leaders like Lee Kwan Yew, Kofi Annan and Shimon Perez, via the GCMG. He achieved it too.

Now Anni wants to follow suit. In order to cover up the country's flailing leadership, regressing democracy, waning justice, increasing crime, ballooning inflation, declining economy, etc., the government 'applies' (note the application procedure on the site) for the Anna Lindh Prize. The difference between Maumoon and Anni is that the latter could only manage to be hailed in the ranks of journalists and activists, despite his presidency.