The
islands became a republic, briefly, in 1953-4 and achieved full independence
as a sultanate in 1965. Three years later, the Republic of the Maldive Islands
was re-established and Ibrahim Nasir, Prime Minister since 1954, became President.In 1978, President Nasir decided against a third term as President, and was succeeded by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Gayoom – the dominant figure in the islands’ politics since then – established a ‘Citizens’ Special Majlis’ (legislature), which began work in 1980 with a brief to revise the constitution. After 17 years of work, the new model constitution was ratified by President Gayoom and came into effect in January 1998. In 1985, the Maldives was a founder member of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) and hosted regional summits in 1990 and 1997.
Islam is a central feature of the country’s life and is now supervised by a Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, working under direct presidential control. With no formal political parties, the Maldives’ politics are personality based; no credible threat to Gayoom has emerged in the 25 years during which he has held power, not least because dissent is firmly repressed by Gayoom’s security forces.
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