Gayoom was inaugurated as the 3rd
president of the Republic of Maldives on 11 November 1978 at 12:00 AM. His oath was administered by judge Moosa Fathhy. The mercenaries reportedly operated from a base in
Sri Lanka, conducting several reconnaissance trips in preparation for the mission. They were provided with arms and promised a payment of US$60,000 each for their services. However, the assassination attempt was ultimately called off by the SAS operatives due to emerging doubts about the operation.
1987 Great wave On 11 April 1987, a devastating tidal wave, often referred to as the "Great Wave", struck
Malé, leaving 16 islands across 13 atolls severely affected and causing damages estimated at
MVR 90 million. The disaster is considered one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in
Maldivian history. In an interview during the early 2000s, Gayoom said: The wave caused remarkable damage to both the outer and inner
seawalls of
Malé. In response, the
Maldivian government sought assistance from
Japan, which sent a team of scientists to assess the situation. The
Japanese government later supported the reconstruction of the damaged seawalls, helping the country recover from the disaster. The event drew international attention to the vulnerabilities of small island nations. Gayoom addressed this issue at the
1987 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, proposing the formation of a group of experts to study the impacts of
climate change on
small island states and low-lying nations. The coup was arranged by Abdullah Luthufi, a Maldivian businessman, who sought to overthrow Gayoom's government. Gayoom's presidency faced weighty opposition, with key figures like Luthufi determined to remove him from power due to dissatisfaction with the political landscape and the perceived lack of opportunities for dissent. His close association with the
People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) allowed him to negotiate for military support in the form of an 80-member raiding party. Additionally, Luthufi secured support from sympathetic members of the Maldivian military, highlighting the complexities of the political situation during Gayoom's rule.
Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi responded promptly, and within hours, India launched Operation Cactus. Indian paratroopers were airlifted to the Maldives and landed in
Malé on the same day, securing key locations and restoring order. The Indian intervention was decisive, with the coup leaders unable to mount resistance once
foreign troops arrived. Many of the PLOTE mercenaries were captured, while others fled the country, but were later caught. The coup attempt was effectively quashed within hours of the
Indian military's arrival. The quick resolution of the coup attempt strengthened Gayoom's position, and he publicly expressed gratitude towards the
Indian government for its timely intervention. Following the coup attempt, planner Abdulla Lutfi and his assistant Sagar Nasir were sentenced to death. However, according to Gayoom, the sentences were reduced to a life sentence of 25 years. Following the coup attempt, a small number of Indian soldiers remained in
Malé for a year to protect Gayoom from further threats.
Other terms (1988–2008) 2004 tsunami The
2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was a major turning point in Gayoom's presidential administration. In response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, President Gayoom addressed the nation on the evening of the disaster, stating that citizens should work together with the government to recover from the losses. The tsunami caused extensive devastation, resulting in the loss of more than three decades of development and an estimated 62% of the country's GDP and a damage cost of approximately
US$460 million. According to
World Bank estimates, the
Maldives experienced a GDP growth rate of 13.75% in 2003; however, this plummeted to -11.223% in 2004 as a direct consequence of the tsunami. Regardless of various recovery efforts, many damages remained unresolved by the end of Gayoom's presidency. Gayoom declared a state of emergency following the national disaster on the same day, and a special task force was established to deliver aid and supplies. Rescue efforts were hindered by the loss of communication with the nation's over 1,000 islands, as well as the lack of sufficient
disaster planning.
Malé bombing Following the first
bomb explosion in
Malé on 29 September 2007, which targeted
foreign tourists, the government, under the presidency of Gayoom, expressed serious concern over the rising threat of
Islamic extremism. In response, the government initiated measures to address
religious fundamentalism and militancy; Mohamed Murshid attempted to stab Gayoom in the stomach with a kitchen knife; however, the attack was thwarted by Mohamed Jaisham Ibrahim, a 16-year-old boy scout from
Kudahuvadhoo, who intervened and blocked the attack with his own hands. Jaisham sustained injuries during this act and required medical treatment, later being treated at
Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital. Following the incident, Gayoom stated, "By the grace of Almighty Allah, I am well and safe, but severe injuries have been inflicted on this brave young man from this island, Mohamed Jaisham. He is a true hero. I sincerely thank him and his family, and I pray to Almighty Allah for his speedy recovery."
Foreign policy Palestine and Israel During his presidency, Gayoom took a firm stance on the
Israeli–Palestinian conflict, which was a defining feature of his foreign policy. Within a week of taking office in 1978, Gayoom severed the diplomatic relations with Israel that had been established under the previous administration of
Ibrahim Nasir. Gayoom supported for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. He argued that this move was necessary to align with the Maldives' broader support for Palestinian self-determination. In 1984, Gayoom invited Palestinian leader
Yasser Arafat to the Maldives, and he undertook a state visit in July the same year. Gayoom also attempted economic partnerships to strengthen ties with Palestine. His administration launched "
Maldives Airways" in collaboration with the
Palestinian government, with a fleet of four airplanes. However, the airline faced financial challenges, attributed to international sanctions and economic pressure, which led to its bankruptcy by 1984.
South and East Asia During Gayoom's presidency, his foreign policy towards
South and
East Asia was centered on strengthening ties with key regional players, particularly India,
China, and
Japan. Gayoom maintained a
close relationship with
India, which was pivotal during the
1988 coup attempt when India responded with "
Operation Cactus" to retain his government. Gayoom sought to balance the Maldives' foreign policy by establishing ties with China, especially as China's influence in the
Indian Ocean grew through infrastructure investments and the
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Relationships demonstrated Gayoom's pragmatic approach to foreign policy, ensuring the
Maldives benefitted from both regional powers without becoming overly dependent on one.
Africa and the Middle East Gayoom's tenure as president saw the Maldives strengthening ties with African nations, particularly through multilateral organisations such as the
Commonwealth of Nations and the
United Nations, where he sought cooperation on shared challenges, such as
climate change and development initiatives. He established relations with more than 25 countries in the
African continent, during his presidential administration. He strongly advocated for the complete and rapid eradication of
apartheid and supported the
South African people's right to
self-determination.
Saudi Arabia was a crucial ally, providing
financial aid, religious
scholarships, and investments that supported the Maldives's development. Diplomatic exchanges between the two nations were frequent, and the relationship was anchored in Islamic solidarity. Gayoom's government also sought to deepen ties with other Gulf countries like
Kuwait and the
United Arab Emirates. These partnerships focused on economic cooperation, with the Gulf states contributing to various infrastructure projects in the Maldives. In 1981, Gayoom established
diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and the Maldives in history.
United States and Europe In the realm of security, the Maldives sought to strengthen ties with the
United States to enhance its own national security and regional stability. Given its strategic location in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives was seen as an important partner in U.S. efforts to combat piracy and terrorism in the region. Gayoom's government actively cooperated with the U.S. on maritime security initiatives and participated in international discussions concerning security challenges. This cooperation was mutually beneficial, as it provided the Maldives with increased visibility on the global stage while aligning with U.S. interests in ensuring a secure maritime environment. During the aftermath of the
2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, as part of their tour to affected countries due to the tsunami in 2005, former U.S. presidents
Bill Clinton and
George H. W. Bush travelled to the Maldives and met Gayoom. at
Velana International Airport in 2005 During the presidency of Gayoom, relations between the Maldives and the
United States were marked by cooperation and economic support. The U.S. contributed to the Maldives's economic development mainly through international organisation programmes. Following the
December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the two countries signed a bilateral assistance agreement, providing $8.6 million for reconstruction efforts. This aid was directed towards rebuilding
harbours,
sewage systems, and electrical generation facilities, while also helping the
Ministry of Finance improve its capacity to manage and absorb international assistance. During his presidency, the Maldives established and nurtured strong relations with various European countries, particularly in the areas of trade,
tourism, and development cooperation. The
Maldives became an attractive destination for
European tourists, which boosted
its economy and helped the nation diversify its income sources.
European nations, particularly the
United Kingdom,
Germany, and Italy, played a crucial role in promoting Maldivian tourism, contributing to the growth of the hospitality industry and infrastructure development.
International trips Gayoom made a number of visits to more than 35 countries during his 30 years of presidency. His first visit following first inauguration, was to
Libya to attend
1 September revolution celebrations in the country. He became the first Maldivian president to visit Libya,
Senegal and
South Africa. At the end of his presidency, Gayoom had visited India over sixteen times in various capacities, making him the Maldivian president with the most visits to India.
Domestic policy Health and education policy Education and healthcare policies were one of the most important–focused subjects during the presidential administration of Gayoom. When Gayoom became president in 1978, the Maldives lacked a formal
education system beyond the capital
Malé, although two
secondary schools and basic educational infrastructure existed there. In early 1979, his government conducted a study that revealed 24.77% of the population was illiterate. In response, the government launched the "Basic Education Project" in January 1980, aimed at eradicating illiteracy. The project began the following month, with the start of teaching basic education classes. Gayoom made education a key priority, aiming to expand access across the country. His government began by establishing primary schools in the atolls, with Gayoom personally inaugurating the first in
South Miladhunmadulu Atoll in March 1979, months after assuming office. in 1989 A
national curriculum was introduced, and efforts were made to provide seven years of
primary education to Maldivian children. Additionally, two secondary schools were established in the atolls, reducing the need for students to move to
Malé for
higher education. Universal immunisation was achieved by 1990, and the government implemented measures to combat communicable diseases. International human rights organisations and foreign governments have accused his administration of employing tactics against dissidents, including
arbitrary arrest and detention,
torture,
forced confessions, and politically motivated killings. Reports indicated that security forces were sometimes used to intimidate opposition figures. Criticism of Gayoom's governance came from various quarters, including foreign nations such as those within the
European Union and the
Commonwealth of Nations, which expressed concerns over his long-term rule and described it as autocratic. Critics highlighted issues related to the
abuse of power, and some characterised his leadership style as
dictatorial, pointing to limitations on political freedoms. By the 1980s, tourism accounted for 28% of the nation's GDP and more than 60% of its foreign exchange receipts. These reforms included lifting
import quotas and opening certain sectors for export to private enterprises. Throughout the 1980s, the Maldivian economy experienced relatively low
inflation, with
real GDP growth averaging around 10%. The year 1990 saw an exceptional GDP growth rate of 16.2%, although this figure declined to 4% by 1993. Under Gayoom's administration, the
Maldives managed to maintain steady economic growth, regardless of external shocks, while fostering a more open and diversified economy.
Environmental policies in 1979 During his presidency, Gayoom was a strong advocate for environmental protection and climate diplomacy, both nationally and internationally. His administration became one of the first to bring international attention to the potential consequences of
climate change for low-lying nations. In 1987, following severe flooding that inundated much of the capital,
Malé, Gayoom recognised the looming threat posed by rising sea levels and
environmental degradation. He became the first-ever world leader to address the
United Nations General Assembly on the dangers of climate change, urging urgent global action on what was, at the time, still a relatively unknown issue. Gayoom's landmark "Death of a Nation" speech at the UNGA is often credited as one of the earliest and most influential calls for global cooperation in combating
climate change. His warnings about the vulnerability of
small island nations like the Maldives highlighted the risks posed by
global warming and
sea level rise, issues that were not widely recognised at the time. This intervention marked the beginning of the Maldives' active participation in global climate diplomacy, reinforcing the nation's commitment to advocating for the protection of environmentally fragile states on the international stage. In addition to his efforts within the Maldives, Gayoom also spearheaded regional environmental cooperation. Under his leadership, the Maldives played an important role in the
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Study on causes and consequences of
natural disasters and the Protection and Preservation of the Environment. signing the "Malé Declaration on Global Warming and Sea Level Rise", a treaty urging nations to recognise
sea level rise as a global security threat and take urgent action to mitigate its impacts. In 2007, representatives of
Small Island Developing States signed the "
Malé Declaration on the Human Dimension of Global Climate Change", a treaty signed by representatives of Small Island Developing States to highlight the critical links between
climate change and
human rights. Furthermore, Gayoom's government initiated the
SAARC Study on the
Greenhouse effect and its impact on the region.
Political reforms A month after Gayoom assumed presidency, the Citizen's Majlis passed the bill to amend the constitution. By 1980, Gayoom declared to form a special constitutional assembly, consisting of cabinet members and parliamentarians, to amend the constitution. After an 18-year process, the amended constitution was finalised, and by November 1997, Gayoom ratified the constitution. In 1998, the new constitution came info effect—declaring the Maldives a
democratic republic (though it did not fully follow democratic principles). In June 2004, Gayoom launched the "democratic reform agenda" in response to growing calls for
political liberalisation and greater civil liberties. Over the following years, notable progress was made — a National Human Rights Commission adhering to international standards was established,
political parties were introduced for the first time in 2005,
media freedom was granted, and the criminal justice system was modernised. In 2007, after several rounds of negotiations with opposition parties, particularly the
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), an agreement was reached. The MDP pledged not to engage in violence, while the government committed to releasing political detainees and accelerating the reform process. Concerns over the pace of reforms remained, with some doubting the government's full commitment to change. By 2008, Gayoom emphasised the progress achieved through his reform agenda. The drafting of a
new constitution was nearing completion, aimed at facilitating the transition to a fully
liberal democracy. The new constitution introduced a clearer separation of powers, stronger
human rights protections, and established independent institutions, including an autonomous
Elections Commission and a
Supreme Court. This constitution, finalised later 2008, marked a turning point in Maldivian
political history. It introduced a
multi-party system, limited the presidency to two five-year terms, and created the framework for greater transparency and accountability. Gayoom's administration also prepared for the country's
first multi-party presidential election, proposing legislative reforms to guarantee the elections met international standards. == Post-presidency (2008–present) ==