The Maldives has long since boasted freedom from foreign influence. Mohamed Thakurufaanu saving the country from Portuguese slavery, and DhonBandaarain gaining the country’s independence from Malabari pirates are examples of this.
On the other hand, the Maldiveshave also witnessed traitors beholden to outside interests.
Letting the Portuguese invade the country is an example of putting forth one’s greed for power, before that of the good of the nation. Bora merchants were allowed to take over the Maldives’ economy by a power-hungry family, entangled in a struggle for control over the country.Following a great torching incident, the country was forced under British protectionagain by a clan greedy for power.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Mohamed Didi of the Velaanaage dynastyinvited Peshawari mercenariesto attempt an overthrowof the then administration.
The result of greed, and ignorance, is never favourable.
During thetime of the Maldives being a British protectorate, the senior officials of the Maldives held on to the belief thata small country could not be independent, and in turn fed this philosophy to the leaders of the Maldivian community.
However during the presidency of Ibrahim Nasir, of the Velaanaage dynasty, this mind-set was changed. This led to the economic and political independence of the Maldives with President Nasir facilitating theMaldives complete independence frombora merchants and the British. As regards toregional politics, India and Sri Lanka were kept at an arm’s length and were never allowed to meddle with in Maldives’domestic affairs.
The misery we are facing today is akin to history repeating itself;letting neighbouring countries hold sway our internalmatters, with efforts being made to influence our country. The same families that were behind such treachery in the past are still at it today.
Haven’t we once lost the Maldives’ airport? Haven’t we gone through the Maldives’ bank being on the verge of being lost? We saw resorts being closed down on the basis that they had spas.
The country’s responsible citizens were greatly affected by the peace being disrupted in such a manner.
The Maldives leaving the Commonwealth was solely for the protection of the country’s sovereignty;there is no such reason whereby we should be forced to remain in the organisation.We must not give up our identity in exchange for the assistance received from Commonwealth, or other benefits that we may or may not receive.
NaibuThutthu was banished because he refused to submitto the British, and for not accepting the British protectorate agreement.
Brave Maldivian rulers of the past have shown this consistency of resolve.
Maldives stay strong still
