Mohamed Nasheed

Mohamed Nasheed (born 17 May 1967) is a Maldivian politician and one of the founders of the Maldivian Democratic Party, who served as the fourth President of the Maldives from 2008 to 2012.

Quotes

 * India is a huge country but it always listens to us, the smaller countries... I trust democracy far more than any other form of governance.
 * Mohamed Nasheed, fourth president of the Maldives, quoted on HaveeruOnline, "Maldives ensures no security threat to India", October 29, 2011


 * Even the figure of 40 is quite big for a country the size of the Maldives which has a population of just 3,50,000. Even one Maldivian becoming a terrorist and killing people is enough to shake our society.
 * On the threat of ISIS in the Maldives, quoted on TheHindu, "India, Maldives to finalise pact to fight Islamic State", March 15, 2016.
 * If the UK is not in the European Union, there is no way we could speak to countries such as Estonia. As a former British colony, as a former British protectorate, as someone who can speak English, we would not be able to articulate [our positions] or have a conversation. Of course we can have a conversation with Estonia or any other European government but collective decision with the UK at the forefront helps us.
 * In an interview with The Telegraph, Mr Nasheed said it was in the "best interests of the Commonwealth" for Britain to remain within the union because of its ability to provide a link between the multinational bodies, quoted on The Telegraph, "Brexit would be damaging for EU-Commonwealth relations, says former Maldives president", March 9, 2016.


 * Do not consider either the security of your personal lives or the transitory happiness of your wives, husbands, children, parents and relatives; for the security of all of your children and their children is in jeopardy.
 * After his arrest, and getting dragged into court, quoted on The guardian, "Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed jailed for 13 years", March 14, 2015.


 * In short, I believe the future is ours to shape. Our economies are booming. Our political influence is growing. And our ability has never been stronger. Our populations are youthful and energetic. Our thinkers, researchers and scientists are globally renowned. Our culture is internationally acclaimed. Our private sector companies are some of the world’s largest and most profitable. We can only achieve [these] goals, if we work together… because our success, is dependent on our neighbour's success; economic stagnation in one part of our region, dampens prosperity in another; instability in one member state, causes insecurity for us all.
 * President Nasheed stressed that the time has come for South Asia, which he said was earlier considered a sideshow in the theatre of global politics, to shine as it currently occupies the centre stage in global politics, quoted on HaveeruOnline, 'Time has come to shine', President Nasheed tells SAARC leaders, November 11, 2011.


 * For us, climate change is real. We are already relocating people from 16 islands affected by rising seas to other areas of our country [Maldives]
 * Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed told Costas Christ of National Geographic, quoted on Parent Herald, "Maldives: Is The Maldives Sinking? Only 30 Years Until It Becomes Next Atlantis", March 21, 2016.


 * In February, India and Pakistan agreed to restart peace talks on all issues. In May, Indian parliamentarians visited Islamabad to advance the cause of peace. In July, Foreign Minister Rabbani Khar visited New Delhi. A month later, MPs from both countries met in India to continue deliberations. In September, Pakistani and Indian railway officials met to help boost connectivity and trade," he said at the eight-member regional summit that opened here in Addu. And in the past few days, Pakistan improved trade links by deciding to grant India the status of Most Favoured Nation. Today, the Pakistani and Indian Prime Ministers met in the lovely setting of the Shangri La in the Maldives.
 * In his address delivered at the inaugural session of the 17th SAARC Summit, the President expressed his hope that both the countries [India and Pakistan] can work to resolve their core issues, quoted on HaveeruOnline, "Indo-Pak relations improving: President Nasheed", November 20, 2011.


 * Interviewer: Do you think that India should have come out in support of the restoration of democracy in the Maldives in a much stronger way? Are you disappointed with India’s response?
 * Mohamed Nasheed: No, I am not disappointed, because we take the long view. I feel that India will in time understand what is best for India, the Maldives and the Indian Ocean. At present I am not convinced that it has understood this. But to assume that appeasement towards dictators would help bring stability -- it’s a tested hypothesis [that it does not]. How far do you appease? What do you achieve out of that? We would expect all countries in the region to be decent and supportive of democratic processes, and India too. Irrespective of India’s policies, we would still argue for an India-first policy. This is not to do with India, it is to do with the Maldives, with us. I am under pressure from within my own party by those who tell me that we keep articulating the same thing, while President Yameen says he is going to be let off the hook by India and Pakistan. Our view is this – whatever India does, our views and principles are not based on our fortunes. We would want to have good relations with India and always argue for an India-first foreign policy.
 * Interview with the Hindu (March 4, 2016)


 * Sanctions imposed can easily be rolled back. But unless they are imposed, President (Abdullah) Yameen will have no incentive to take further action. It is only a question of time before the Maldives witnesses an incident comparable to the tragedy that occurred on the beaches of Tunisia last year. I will definitely go to the Maldives. But only the question is how and when.
 * Mohamed Nasheed, Reuters (January 25, 2016), "Former Maldives' president calls for sanctions against government figures"


 * Well, if I did cooperate with Waheed, this country will go down the drain immediately. The people of this country elected a leader, and that was me. I have been removed forcefully and they want me back. But, I’m saying “Okay, let’s have new elections and see who the people want again”. If I step aside, if I join the Rebel Government, the people of this country will lose faith.
 * Quoted in an interview with Stephen Sackur on BBC News, Interview with Mohamed Nasheed: "Mohamed Nasheed: Unity government 'will not happen'", February 15, 2012.


 * One time they said it was terrorism, another time they said it was acting against the constitution, another time they said it was alcohol.
 * Decca Aitkenhead (1 April 2012). "Dictatorship is coming back to the Maldives and democracy is slipping away". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 April 2012: Nasheed about the official charges against him in the Maldives.


 * My message to you is continue the protests, continue despite the odds, and eventually, together, we will reach that crucial number, 350.
 * Speech about the Maldives, Interview with Mohamed Nasheed, April 2, 2012.


 * We believe that the only prudent way forward and the solution is for Waheed to resign and the speaker of parliament to take over the government until elections are over.
 * Quoted on BBC News, "Maldives crisis: Nasheed urges President Waheed to quit", October 21, 2013.


 * I graciously accept defeat. We lost by a very small margin. Democracy is a process. It is up to us to make it work. The MDP has always asked for a government elected by the people. Today is a happy day for the Maldives - we now have an elected government.
 * Quoted on BBC News, "Maldives election: Abdulla Yameen wins run-off vote", November 16, 2013.


 * Over the past few weeks, as the world commemorates Nelson Mandela, an uncomfortable spotlight has been shone on Conservatives who branded the ANC as terrorists in the 1980s,” he says in an article on the UK ConservativeHome website. How will today’s crop of Conservative climate refuseniks explain themselves to future generations, in a world made hotter, nasty and poor by global warming? There is nothing Conservative about advocating for the destruction of the climate, and thus all we hold dear. This is not a credible Conservative standpoint: it is reckless and extreme.
 * Quoted on BBC News, "Mohamed Nasheed: climate denying Conservatives “risk irrelevancy”", January 14, 2014.


 * Elections should be held only by the elections commission. The efforts by Jumhoory Party leader Gasim Ibrahim to keep [scandal hit] judge Ali Hameed in the Supreme Court bench are quite clear to me. He is also trying to bribe some members of our party's parliamentary group.
 * Quoted on Haveeru, "Nasheed accuses Supreme Court of trying to 'rob' council elections", January 14, 2013.


 * We will work within the legal ambit to ensure that the transition of power takes place through an election. I believe that the judges at the courts played an active role in the coup. I think [the judges] were under the assumption that our government was planning on dismissing all the judges and was working towards replacing them. In fact, some judges have even told me that they thought that this was our plan. The judges thought that we were trying to take over the judiciary.
 * Quoted on Haveeru, "Nasheed warns of another 'possible coup'", February 9, 2014.


 * Many industrialized countries claim their emissions are on a pathway compatible with 1.5 degrees, but the devil is in the details., December 4, 2023

About

 * Over the past two years of my presidency, we have made significant achievements concerning our foreign policy. And yes we are prepared to consider targeted action against individuals if further progress isn't made. Former President Nasheed has been imprisoned without due process. And that is an injustice that must be addressed soon.
 * President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, the 6th president and current president of the Maldives, Haveeru (February 4, 2016), "Maldives pres pledges closer global ties, insists no place for interference"


 * ...former President Nasheed has been imprisoned without due process. And that is an injustice that must be addressed soon.
 * John Kerry on President Mohamed Nasheed imprisoned for ordering an arrest of a judge while in office, quoted on HaveeruOnline, "Maldives hails India, Pakistan for saving from Commonwealth body agenda", March 1, 2016.