Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ( born December 29, 1937) was from 1978 to 2008 President of the Maldives.

Gayoom was studying abroad Civil Law and Islamic Law and graduated in 1966. Upon his return to the Maldives in 1971, he worked as a middle school teacher one year. Then began for Gayoom a brilliant career as a government employee. In 1972 he came to the Shipping Office and in 1974 the Telecommunications Office, whose director he was. From 1975, Gayoom was in diplomatic services, from 1976 at the State Department as a permanent representative at the United Nations operates. In 1977 he became Minister of Transport before he was elected in 1978 as President of the island nation.

Gayoom was the former President Ibrahim Nasir replaced. In October 2003, he was re-elected with 90.28 percent of the vote. He was the only candidate and was nominated by the Parliament Majlis. Had the choice of the form of a referendum, there were only the options Yes or No is available.

Gayoom has been criticized for his autocratic management style and was widely recognized as a dictator. According to Amnesty International, there were in 2003, " severe restrictions on freedom of the press, political parties were restricted in their activities ." In September 2003, riots broke out, which resulted in arrests have been made. There were also shots. The Democratic Party of Maldives presented under Gayoom the strongest opposition force dar. Political prisoners were often exiled to distant atolls from the capital. However, many residents of the Maldives believe that the progress of the country was due to the efforts Gayoom in large parts.

Gayoom was also long time defense minister and finance minister of his country. However, he has given up on September 1, 2004 This positions.

Gayoom has four children. His eldest daughter, Dunya Maumoon, was treated as a likely successor.

On 29 October 2008, elected to succeed him in the first free multi-party elections the moderate Mohamed Nasheed.

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