Sep 17, 20232 min read

The 1988 Maldives Coup Attempt: A Tale of Political Turmoil

Crowds gathered near NSS following aftermath of attack

Introduction - The 1988 Maldives Coup Attempt

In the annals of Maldivian history, November 3rd, 1988, stands out as a pivotal date. On this fateful day, the Maldives experienced a coup attempt that shook the nation to its core. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of the 1988 Maldives coup attempt, shedding light on the political landscape, the events leading up to the coup, and its aftermath.

Background:

The Maldives, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, had been under the autocratic rule of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom since 1978. During his regime, political dissent was stifled, and democratic institutions were weak. Opposition to Gayoom’s rule simmered beneath the surface, and this discontent would eventually lead to the dramatic events of 1988.

The Coup Attempt:

The 1988 coup attempt was orchestrated by a group of Maldivian rebels, with support from armed mercenaries led by a man named Abdullah Luthufi. The rebels sought to overthrow President Gayoom’s government and establish a more democratic system. They believed that the president’s authoritarian rule had gone on for far too long.

On the night of November 3rd, the rebels launched their attack on the capital city of Malé. They managed to briefly capture the capital and even took President Gayoom hostage. However, their control was short-lived, as Indian military intervention swiftly quelled the rebellion.

Indian Intervention:

One of the most significant aspects of the 1988 coup attempt was India’s swift response. Upon receiving President Gayoom’s plea for help, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, authorized a military operation codenamed “Operation Cactus.” Indian troops, supported by the Indian Navy and Air Force, quickly arrived in the Maldives to restore order.

The intervention proved successful, as Indian forces defeated the rebels and secured the release of President Gayoom. The coup attempt was crushed, and order was restored in Malé. India’s role in preventing the overthrow of the Maldivian government was pivotal, and it solidified the two nations’ friendly relations.

Aftermath:

The 1988 Maldives coup attempt had significant consequences. President Gayoom’s grip on power tightened further, and political dissent was met with even harsher repression. However, the event did plant the seeds for future political change. The Maldives eventually transitioned to a multiparty democracy in 2008, bringing an end to President Gayoom’s 30-year rule.

Conclusion:

The 1988 Maldives coup attempt remains a defining moment in the nation’s history. It highlighted the need for political reform and paved the way for a democratic future. The swift response of the Indian government played a critical role in preventing the coup’s success and ensuring stability in the Maldives. Today, the Maldives stands as a fledgling democracy, with a complex political history rooted in the events of that fateful November night in 1988.