Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that the forthcoming government made up by the coalition parties will take concrete steps to secure national independence.

In his address to mark Victory Day, Maumoon highlighted the importance of remembering the courage and sacrifice made by those who were martyred 30 years ago in the attempted coup on 3 November 1988.

In the address, Maumoon gave his well wishes to all Maldivian citizens and assured president-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih that the coalition parties will fully support the new government’s work to secure national independence.

Ending his address, he said his wish is for Maldivians to remain Muslims and to work together to defend their freedom and identity.

Victory Day remembers those who were martyred in the attempted coup by foreign terrorists on 3 November 1988. 19 Maldivians lost their lives when a group of 90 terrorist fighters invaded capital Male’ City and attempted to take control of the Maldives government.