President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that independence cannot be enjoyed fully as long as we are dependent on others. The President made this remark during his address to the nation on the occasion of this year’s Independence Day.
Underlining the importance of the nation’s economic freedom, the President called for continuous efforts in advancing our economy, including increasing investments and other commercial activities. He also noted the significance of increasing employment opportunities, and that of Maldivians being at the helm of the country’s economy. The President called upon all young people and all those in the nation’s workforce to “roll up their sleeves” towards reaching our mutual economic goals.
In his speech, the President said that independence and freedom does not translate to recklessness of individual actions; and that when a nation’s laws and societal harmony is disrupted it would soon face economic challenges, regardless of previous advances – in such cases a small nation such as the Maldives will likely see greater negative impact, the President said.
Addressing the nation, the President underscored the many difficulties being faced by the Maldives as a 100% Islamic nation. The President stated that the administration faced continuous reprisals and pressure calling for freedom of religion in the Maldives and that the Government continues to overcome disruptors of peace and harmony.
Continuing in this regard, the President said that as a people who respect the sovereignty of other nations, we too must be afforded the same respect. He also said that by allowing external forces to interfere with domestic affairs we were unwittingly allowing them unwarranted influence in our internal affairs.
President Yameen further said that his agenda during the presidential election of 2013 was shaped mainly to rebuild the nation, and reiterated that his administration was not engaged in a political rivalry. While highlighting the many achievements of this administration, in the areas of urban, economic and social development, the President said that his main concern was to overcome the challenges facing the nation, and that as the Head of State his aim was to facilitate, for the Maldivian people, joy, prosperity, peace and independence.
The President spoke, at length, about the threat terrorism poses towards destabilising the nation’s sovereign independence and the administration’s strenuous efforts towards preventing such acts via the formation of the National Counter Terrorism Centre as well as the President’s submission of the State Policy Paper on Terrorism and Violent Extremism for Majlis debate and counsel.
Underlining that the true benefit of economic progress can be enjoyed only by treating social ailments, and building a community on mutual respect, the President noted that his administration sees every individual as equal in the eyes of the law, and said that the judiciary was now a fully separate and independent institution which needed further development to keep pace with the socio-economic developments of the nation.
President Yameen addresses the nation on occasion of Independence Day
