Ex-presidents, politicians deliver 50th Republic Day felicitations

Combined file photos of (from L-R) Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, Mohamed Nasheed and Qasim Ibrahim.

Former Maldivian presidents and politicians have taken to the social media to deliver felicitations on occasion of the 50th anniversary of Republic of Maldives.

Living presidents of the 2nd Republic of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Mohamed Nasheed and Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik have taken to social media to deliver Republic Day felicitations to the Maldivian people.

But outgoing President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) have yet to deliver a statement on occasion of Republic Day.

Former President Maumoon, on Twitter, congratulated President-elect Ibu, Vice President-designate Faisal Naseem and the people of Maldives on occasion on Republic Day, and stressed the importance of recalling and appreciating efforts by past leaders and the people of Maldives to establish a government system based on Maldivian values.

“As we celebrate the golden jubilee of our Republic Day, we recall with gratitude the remarkable efforts made by our past leaders and the people of this country to establish a sound and forward-looking government system based on our national values,” wrote Maumoon.

Maumoon’s successor, Nasheed marked Republic Day by tweeting a picture of his article Veriyegge Nimun (The Fall of a Leader) – about the fall of the of the first Republic – which was published in 2003 on occasion of the 50th anniversary of the first Republic of Maldives.

Jumhooree nizam akee eveylaa Rome ge nizameh.America ge dhakhilee haguraama aai Faranseysi inqilabun mi falsafa ah ithuru kurierun libunu.Raajjeyge 2 vana jumhooriyathuge furathama 40 aharu verikan badhaluvee 2 faharah.Miadhakee 3 vana faharah votun verikan badhalvaanjehey dhuvas pic.twitter.com/naCfsERBSd
— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) November 11, 2018

Nasheed tweeted that the republic form of government was founded in ancient Rome and improved during the American Civil War and French Revolution.

He wrote that government of Maldives changed only twice within the first 40 years of the Republic – referring to Maumoon’s 30-year rule and his victory over Maumoon in 2008. “Today marks the third time the government should have changes by vote,” wrote Nasheed.

Dr. Waheed, who served as interim president after Nasheed’s controversial resignation in 2012, thanked former presidents Mohamed Ameen Didi, Mohamed Nasir, Maumoon, Nasheed and Yameen for their service to Maldives. He stressed the need for more efforts to solve the challenges to good governcence, but promoted positivity and wished President-elect Ibu a successful term.

As we celebrate 50th Anniversary of Maldives 2nd Republic we thank the enormous contribution by Presidents Ameen Didi, Nasir, Maumoon, Nasheed and Yameen. Let’s see the positives and move forward. We wish President Elect Solih a successful term ahead.
— Mohamed Waheed (@DrWaheedH) November 11, 2018