Republik Suvadiva
The United Suvadive Republic (Dhivehi: އެކުވެރި ސުވައިދީބު ޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ) was a nation formed for a brief period of time by a group of republican separatists led by people in the remote southern atolls of the Maldives, namely Addu, Huvadu and Fuahmulah. Their independence was declared on 3 January, 1959 and the nation capitulated and claimed back in September 23, 1963.
Suvadive (Dhivehi: ސުވައިދީބު) was originally an ancient name for the three southern most atolls of the Maldives. In the late 16th century, it was made the official name of Huvadu atoll, however it is not referred to by that name anymore. [1]
History
Trade Restrictions
Due to the lack of communication between the administrative capital Malé and the extreme furthest atolls (North and South) coupled with the capital's inability to provide the elementary needs such as food, clothing, medicine, health facilities and education required by the people [2], the affluent families in the north and merchants in the south conducted external trade with neighboring countries such as Sri Lanka, India and the East Indies without involving the capital. This meant that the central government had little control over the import trade conducted within the country. However this status quo was maintained until World War II, when in 1947 the government, backed by Malé merchants and with the co-operation of the British Empire imposed requirements to carry passports and visas to Sri Lanka and other British colonies. Since these travel documents were issued in Malé, it is presumed that the government aimed to attain control while directing some revenues towards it from this lucrative trade. The act proved detrimental as it was perceived with bitter contempt in the South.
Insurrection
This newly induced influence over the import trade enabled the government to stipulate other measures of control such as poll and land tax. British troops were stationed in the islands of Gan and Hithadhoo in Addu atoll which denied the local populace any chance of bartering with them. In addition, militiamen were posted in the atoll to ensure that absolutely no trade was carried out without the government’s knowledge. The arrest and physical assault of a son of a wealthy family (possibly for a breach of one of the new restrictions) by one of these militiamen led to the first revolt in which a mob rose against him. He was given sanctuary by the British until the situation calmed down and when the government prosecuted the alleged conspirators vouching the militiaman's account of events. The men were convicted and reportedly subjected to debilitating forms of punishment such as public flogging.
The Maldivian Government was delaying the ratification of a100-year lease of the islands Gan and Maamendoo which greatly distressed the British. Sometime later, under a new agreement with the government, the Addu people were allowed to seek employment in the British facilities enabling them to obtain a rewarding incomes and lavish goods while relishing the idea of less dependence. In 1957, the sultan appointed Ibrahim Nasir as the prime minister of the sultanate who ordered the British to arrest all construction undertakings in Addu. This possibly led an already infuriated civilian British contractor posted there to invoke the islanders to the idea of independence from the central government.
Secession
Among those who were convicted for the uprising against the militiaman was a young, educated and well respected individual known as Abdullah Afeef Didi, who served as a translator to the British during their post. The new prime minister appointed him as the liaison officer between the British and the locals. Shortly afterwards in December of 1958, the government announced plans for a new tax infliction on boats. This caused an infectious rise of riots throughout the atoll which led to several attacks on government buildings, once again forcing officials to retreat to the safety of the British barracks. They owed their lives to Afeef Didi, who warned them of the impending unrest. [3]
Four days later, on 3 January, 1959 a delegation of the Addu people arrived on Gan and declared their independence to the British. When he refused to accept the leadership offered by this delegation, Afeef Didi was threatened with his life and wellbeing, which ultimately gave him no choice but to take the role of the executive head of the state. He was chosen to lead them because of the British insistence on a trustworthy leader whom they were familiar with, before backing the rebellion. [4]
The newly formed republic flourished and soon wanting to share its wealth and prosperity, the two other southern atolls of Huvadoo and Fuvahmulah joined Addu to form the United Suvadive Republic.
Capitulation
The government reacted in retaliation by sending a fully armed gunboat to Huvadhoo, commanded by the prime minister himself and ended the rebellious separatist movement in June 1959. Addu was spared because of the British intervention by deploying a regiment from Peninsula Malaysia. In one years time, due to the prime minister's tireless international campaigns, a new accord with British and Maldivian governments was approved and the former soon announced the termination of their support to the rebel separatists, which fortunately at the time did not deter the republic. However in 1961, Huvadu atoll's second revolt was met with yet again another failed personal appeal by the prime minister. The resistance was inevitably met by the complete destruction of the rebel headquarters in Thinadhoo dispersing the population into the island. This acted as a powerful blow to the republic, and without the support of the British, the Suvadive republic was on the brink of collapse. Most of the rebel leaders were then imprisoned.
On September 22, 1963, a British political agent dictated an ultimatum to the citizens of Maradhoo, for the immediate removal of the Suvadive flag, and to hoist that of the Maldives. It was done so, the next day September 23, 1963. The English announced that they would only employ citizens of the sovereign sultanate of the Maldives, thus abolishing the United Suvadive Republic for good.
Territorial Claim
The revolution began in the southernmost atoll of Addu, but the idea of independence and prosperous lifestyles attracted the communities of Fuahmulah and Huvadhoo (now divided into two separate atolls, North and South, for administrative purposes) and resulted in their joining the nation. The rebellion ended in Suvadives being completely dissolved and the participating atolls restored as South Maldives.
Economy
The British presence and the short-lived independence from the central government fueled the prosperity enjoyed by the Suvadivians. They were provided with employment, trading and health facilities unmatched to anywhere in the Maldives at the time. During this period, Suvadives acted as a temporary trading point for the Maldives, enabling them to obtain fuel and other necessities throughout shortage of the Second World War.