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'United Suvadheeb
Republic'
While the British developed Gan as a
base for Royal Air Force, the people of
the three southern most atolls revolted
against the government of Mr Nasir. They
formed a separate government and declared
the 'United Suvadheeb Republic' in 1959.
The British support for them was suspected
by the government. The grievances of the
people of these three atolls against the
government were not entirely unjustified.
For centuries, the people of the Huvadhoo,
Fua Mulah and Addu Atolls sailed in their
wooden vessels odi to Sri Lanka and India
and exchanged goods.
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United Suvadheeb
Republic - 'sun did not shine longer' |
They travelled independently to these
countries without stopping over at Malé;
hence there was no government control
over these trade affairs. However, Mr
Nasir introduced measures which were unfavourable
to the three southern most atolls including
the prohibition of direct sail to the
neighbouring countries without clearing
through Malé. The workers in Addu
who could have enjoyed the benefits of
direct payment from the British were also
disappointed with the arrangement in which
they were paid through the government
in Malé. They believed that the
government controlled the exchange rates
to their disadvantage.
The separatist uprising was brought to
an end by the government of the Maldives
in 1963 in some atolls with brute force.
However, the unease and hostility continued.
The government of the Maldives negotiated
with the British for a diplomatic solution.
Maldives demanded more independence than
the existing agreements provided for.
In 1960 an agreement was signed reducing
the period of British stay in Addu to
30 years. The British finally agreed to
give independence to the Maldives and
an agreement was signed in 1965. This
historic agreement was signed on 25 July
1965 in Sri Lanka. However, the British
presence in Addu Atoll continued till
1976.
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