Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

president of Maldives

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July 16, 2026

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Maumoon Abdul Gayoom served as the president of the Maldives for 30 years, from 1978 to 2008. During his tenure, he initiated reforms aimed at modernizing and democratizing the nation's economy and political system. His government also focused on improving human rights and governance, leading to the establishment of a multiparty political system and a new constitution in 2008. This new constitution strengthened governmental checks and balances and allowed women to run for president. Gayoom's presidency ended with the election of Mohamed Nasheed in 2008.12

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Maldives
History of Maldives
…was succeeded in 1978 by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who was reelected to his sixth consecutive term in 2003. The Maldives became a member of the Commonwealth in 1982 (although it withdrew its membership from 2016 to 2020 amid a political spat).
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…was succeeded in 1978 by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who was reelected to his sixth consecutive term in 2003. The Maldives became a member of the Commonwealth in 1982 (although it withdrew its membership from 2016 to 2020 amid a political spat).
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Mohamed Nasheed
Early life and political activism
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Sangu was banned, and Nasheed was sentenced to house arrest. He was jailed later that year and was held in solitary confinement for 18 months. He was sentenced to three years in prison in 1992 but was released in 1993. Nasheed applied…
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Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Sangu was banned, and Nasheed was sentenced to house arrest. He was jailed later that year and was held in solitary confinement for 18 months. He was sentenced to three years in prison in 1992 but was released in 1993. Nasheed applied…
Read More