Maldives marks 43 years of independence
| DATE: 2008-07-26 | PRINT |
If we are to comment on the activities that led to the declaration of independence 43 years ago then we also need to look into the events that preceded the granting of permission to the British to build their bases and staging posts in Addu atoll and the policies practiced by the then Prime Minister of the country, Ibrahim Faamuladheri Kilegefaanu.
Shortly after the end of the Second World War in 1945, the British began granting independence to some of the countries which had been their protectorates, possibly as a reward for their support during the war. India gained its independence in 1945 and shortly afterwards Pakistan was born. Sri Lanka also gained their independence in 1947 but the Maldives still remained a protectorate. What Maldives got instead was ‘internal’ freedom where the British agreed not to interfere with the internal affairs of Maldives and in return they would ensure the safety of the country. However when it came to foreign matters the British had to be consulted.
The treaty was signed on 24 April, 1948 and afterwards Maldives did not have to pay tribute to the British. History shows that the decision to stop paying tribute was taken by Mohamed Amin Didi in order to ensure that the Maldives did not fall under the power of Sri Lanka, which had received independence in 1947.
After Sri Lanka gained its independence, the many British bases in Sri Lanka had to be relocated, for various reasons, to another place. The ideal location seemed to be Maldives since during the Second World War the British had already based many military and communication posts in Addu atoll, Male’ atoll Dhoonidhoo, and Haa Alifu atoll Kelaa. So on December 1956, Prime Minister Ibrahim Faamuladheri Kilegefaanu signed an agreement to lease 100 acres in the Maamendhoo district of Hithadhoo in Addu atoll to the British for a period of 100 years. Almost a year later, on 11 December 1957, he resigned due to the complications which arose from the agreement. He had sincerely believed that a small nation like Maldives, lacking in natural resources, could only survive as a safe and stable place if they were under the protection of a powerful country.
Ibrahim Nasir then took over the post of the Prime Minister on 12 December, 1957. Unlike Faamuladheri Kilegefaanu, Nasir believed that the Maldives could do better as an independent country. By then an Air Force staging post was under construction on Gan Island in Addu. However the project wasn’t going ahead as planned since arrangements to relocate the residents of Gan to nearby Feydhoo wasn’t finalized. At the same time new laws put into force by the new Government, imposing duty on imported goods and the registering and fees charged on seafaring vessels, didn’t sit too well with the residents of Addu. Consequently, on 1 January, 1959, a breakaway alternative Government was formed in Addu atoll. Huvadhu atoll and Fuvahmulah also joined the rebellion later. The rebellion lasted until 24 September 1963. The incident forced the Government to work harder towards gaining independence.
A new agreement was made in 1960 leasing 110 acres of Maamedhoo area in Seenu atoll Hithadhoo to the British for a period of 30 years.
The changes brought about by the new Prime Ministers policies were seen very quickly as education and businesses flourished, resulting in English medium classes, ATA businesses, the Hulhule Airport, Maldives’ radio station, radio telephones in the atolls and many more.
Not long after, talks in Male’ and Colombo were held between Maldivian and British envoys to discuss the issue of granting independence to the Maldives. The discussions went on for two or three years but in the end the Maldives finally gained independence on 26 July, 1965.
Ever since Maldives converted to Islam in 1153, and the history of the country began to be recorded, Maldives has remained an independent and sovereign country throughout the 850 years, with the notable exception of the 16 years it remained under the occupation of the Portuguese, the four months under Malabar occupation and the 77 years during which it remained under the protection of the British.
Today, as we mark our 43rd Independence Day, we should take note of the changes brought about within the last two or three years. Especially the freedoms granted with the ratification of the new constitution.
| DATE: 2008-07-26 | PRINT |
If we are to comment on the activities that led to the declaration of independence 43 years ago then we also need to look into the events that preceded the granting of permission to the British to build their bases and staging posts in Addu atoll and the policies practiced by the then Prime Minister of the country, Ibrahim Faamuladheri Kilegefaanu.
Shortly after the end of the Second World War in 1945, the British began granting independence to some of the countries which had been their protectorates, possibly as a reward for their support during the war. India gained its independence in 1945 and shortly afterwards Pakistan was born. Sri Lanka also gained their independence in 1947 but the Maldives still remained a protectorate. What Maldives got instead was ‘internal’ freedom where the British agreed not to interfere with the internal affairs of Maldives and in return they would ensure the safety of the country. However when it came to foreign matters the British had to be consulted.
The treaty was signed on 24 April, 1948 and afterwards Maldives did not have to pay tribute to the British. History shows that the decision to stop paying tribute was taken by Mohamed Amin Didi in order to ensure that the Maldives did not fall under the power of Sri Lanka, which had received independence in 1947.
After Sri Lanka gained its independence, the many British bases in Sri Lanka had to be relocated, for various reasons, to another place. The ideal location seemed to be Maldives since during the Second World War the British had already based many military and communication posts in Addu atoll, Male’ atoll Dhoonidhoo, and Haa Alifu atoll Kelaa. So on December 1956, Prime Minister Ibrahim Faamuladheri Kilegefaanu signed an agreement to lease 100 acres in the Maamendhoo district of Hithadhoo in Addu atoll to the British for a period of 100 years. Almost a year later, on 11 December 1957, he resigned due to the complications which arose from the agreement. He had sincerely believed that a small nation like Maldives, lacking in natural resources, could only survive as a safe and stable place if they were under the protection of a powerful country.
Ibrahim Nasir then took over the post of the Prime Minister on 12 December, 1957. Unlike Faamuladheri Kilegefaanu, Nasir believed that the Maldives could do better as an independent country. By then an Air Force staging post was under construction on Gan Island in Addu. However the project wasn’t going ahead as planned since arrangements to relocate the residents of Gan to nearby Feydhoo wasn’t finalized. At the same time new laws put into force by the new Government, imposing duty on imported goods and the registering and fees charged on seafaring vessels, didn’t sit too well with the residents of Addu. Consequently, on 1 January, 1959, a breakaway alternative Government was formed in Addu atoll. Huvadhu atoll and Fuvahmulah also joined the rebellion later. The rebellion lasted until 24 September 1963. The incident forced the Government to work harder towards gaining independence.
A new agreement was made in 1960 leasing 110 acres of Maamedhoo area in Seenu atoll Hithadhoo to the British for a period of 30 years.
The changes brought about by the new Prime Ministers policies were seen very quickly as education and businesses flourished, resulting in English medium classes, ATA businesses, the Hulhule Airport, Maldives’ radio station, radio telephones in the atolls and many more.
Not long after, talks in Male’ and Colombo were held between Maldivian and British envoys to discuss the issue of granting independence to the Maldives. The discussions went on for two or three years but in the end the Maldives finally gained independence on 26 July, 1965.
Ever since Maldives converted to Islam in 1153, and the history of the country began to be recorded, Maldives has remained an independent and sovereign country throughout the 850 years, with the notable exception of the 16 years it remained under the occupation of the Portuguese, the four months under Malabar occupation and the 77 years during which it remained under the protection of the British.
Today, as we mark our 43rd Independence Day, we should take note of the changes brought about within the last two or three years. Especially the freedoms granted with the ratification of the new constitution.
