Mohamed Nasheed

Mohamed Nasheed, born on May 17, 1967, in Malé, is a prominent Maldivian politician and activist known for his significant contributions to the country's political landscape. He made history as the first democratically elected president of the Maldives, serving from 2008 until his controversial resignation in 2012. A founding member of the Maldivian Democratic Party, Nasheed later took on the role of the 19th speaker of the People's Majlis from May 2019 until November 2023.

Nasheed's political journey began with his election to Parliament in 1999, but his early career was marked by challenges, including multiple arrests and imprisonment due to his activism. His pivotal moment came in the 2008 presidential election, where he garnered twenty-five percent of the votes in the first round and ultimately defeated the long-standing incumbent, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who had ruled for thirty years. As president, he drew international attention to the pressing issue of climate change affecting the Maldives.

On February 7, 2012, amidst a political crisis, Nasheed resigned, claiming he was forced out in a coup d'état after ordering the arrest of a chief judge. His successor disputed this characterization, leading to an investigation that found no evidence supporting Nasheed's claims. Following his presidency, he faced legal challenges, including a conviction in 2015 under the Anti-Terrorism Act, which was widely criticized as politically motivated.

After receiving asylum in the United Kingdom in 2016, Nasheed returned to the Maldives after the Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 2018. He successfully won a parliamentary seat in the subsequent elections and became Speaker of Parliament. His life has been marked by resilience, including surviving an assassination attempt in May 2021, which left him with serious injuries.