A national disgrace: why Waheed’s Epstein links demand investigation!

In the political history of the Maldives, former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, once regarded as one of the most highly scholarly individuals in the country, has now become a figure of national disgrace. Revelations surrounding the close relationship between a man who held the two highest offices in the state and Jeffrey Epstein, widely known as one of the most notorious and depraved sexual predators in modern history, extend far beyond ordinary political controversy. They represent a profound collapse of human dignity and moral responsibility. Waheed’s conduct and statements reflect an extraordinary level of hypocrisy, revealing a complete absence of integrity.

An examination of Dr. Waheed’s political career reveals a consistent pattern of aligning himself with those in power. From his rise to the presidency following the 2012 coup to the present day, his political identity has remained indistinct and opportunistic.

He has repeatedly praised different political parties whenever it suited his interests, altering his rhetoric as circumstances changed. His later denunciations of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) leadership, after having once stood within their ranks, now stand exposed for what they were. Recent reports further confirm that his actions have not been guided by ideology or national interest, but by convenience and self-preservation.

Equally troubling is Waheed’s documented relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire financier who orchestrated the sexual exploitation of minors. That Waheed, while serving as President of the Maldives, addressed Epstein in private correspondence as his savior is indefensible. This was a man whose involvement in child sexual abuse and trafficking had already been exposed to the world.

Evidence indicating that Waheed visited “Little Saint James”, Epstein’s private island where such crimes took place and remarks attributed to him expressing gratitude for being welcomed into that circle cannot be dismissed as coincidence.

After associating with such a network and compromising the dignity of the Maldivian people, Waheed’s current attempts to position himself as a moral voice for social reform amount to extreme hypocrisy.

Leaked documents further reveal that Waheed worked with Epstein on plans to develop uninhabited Maldivian islands into exclusive retreats for “Russian billionaires and Arab Sheikhs”. His willingness to present development proposals, including plans related to “Fuggiri”, to Epstein demonstrates a readiness to prioritize personal or political gain over the sovereignty of Maldivian territory. His reported use of his own child as an intermediary to maintain contact with a convicted sex offender while seeking financial assistance represents a betrayal of his responsibilities both as a father and as a national leader.

Statements currently issued by Waheed’s office, asserting that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal nature, lack credibility. The claim that Waheed, who held senior roles linked to child rights institutions such as UNICEF, was unaware of Epstein’s record strains belief, particularly when Epstein’s crimes had been globally known since 2008. The more plausible conclusion is that Waheed was driven by a pursuit of power and money, demonstrating a willingness to associate with a known predator to advance his interests.

In his correspondence, Waheed referred to Epstein’s students, despite the fact that it is now universally acknowledged that Epstein used the pretense of students to facilitate sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Even in light of this, Waheed continues to maintain that he was unaware of Epstein’s true activities.

Throughout his career, Dr. Waheed has sought to portray himself as an intellectual and diplomatic figure. In reality, he lacked a genuine popular mandate and came to power largely by circumstance. The negligible number of votes he received in the 2013 presidential election reflects his true political standing. Against this backdrop, his attempts today to advise the nation on major political and moral issues are viewed by many citizens as deeply offensive.

His resignation from the post of Special Envoy to the President following the release of the Epstein-related files must not be allowed to serve as an escape from accountability. Waheed is widely perceived as someone who bartered the honor and dignity of the Maldives to a morally corrupt foreign figure. Beneath his academic credentials and measured public persona lies a pattern of conduct driven by self-interest and devoid of moral direction.

Waheed has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to adopt any position necessary to serve his ambitions. By contradicting himself from one moment to the next, he has irreparably damaged his own reputation. The public is no longer deceived by academic titles or polished language. In the historical record of the Maldives, Waheed risks being remembered as a leader whose hypocrisy led him to sacrifice national honor and human values at the feet of a predator for personal survival.

During his tenure as Vice President and later as President, Waheed is reported to have shared confidential state information with Epstein on multiple occasions, including matters related to foreign policy and the country’s financial situation. These actions are widely regarded by the public as a direct violation of the constitutional oaths he swore upon assuming both offices. Such allegations demand comprehensive investigation and legal accountability.

Under Maldivian law governing national honors, any individual awarded a state title or honor may have it revoked if they commit acts against the state. As a result, public calls are growing for Waheed to be stripped of the benefits, privileges and honors accorded to him as a former president.