[5] Until the recent history of the Maldives, the southern atolls had been more affluent (plant cover and more fertile soils, seafarers going to trade abroad) than the northern atolls (where wealth, centralized by the royal administration, came from sailor-merchants from abroad); these two ways of acquiring wealth generated two types of political power: one with despotic tendencies in the north, and a democratic sort in the south.

[6] Southern atolls built fleets of 100 to 200 dead-weight tonnage long haul ships (Arumaadu Odi)[7] which were operational until the 1960s.

[11] Economic and Political Weekly stated that the secession was a remarkable coincidence that came with the negotiations of Gan Airport even though the Sultan of Maldives at the time accused the British of inspiring it.

Addu Atoll marks the southern end of the Maldivian archipelago, and is formed with large islands on its eastern and western side fringed by broad barrier reefs.

[3] Prince Abdulla (later known as Ibrahim Faamuladheyri Kilegefan) was banished when he was nine years old to the southern atoll of Fuvamulah from Malé, after his father Sultan Muhammed Ghiya'asuddin was dethroned.

[17] Ibrahim Nasir, the Prime Minister of Maldives during the formation of United Suvadive Republic was born to the Southern Atoll of Fuvahmulah[18] and has the same ancestral grandfather as Afeef Didi (President of United Suvadive Republic), Ibrahim Faamuladheyri Kilegefan son of Sultan Muhammed Ghiya'as ud-din of Diyamigili Dynasty.

The southern atolls of Huvadu, Fuamulak and Addu until the abolishing of the Maldives Kingdom had always traded directly with Ceylon, India and East Indies ports.

Within the three southernmost atolls (of the Maldives), the dialect of the Addu islands which form the southern tip of the whole archipelago is characterized by the highest degree of archaicity”.

[22] One of the main reasons to the formation of United Suvadive Republic according to a letter sent by Afeef Didi to The Times of London highlighted on the indifference shown by the central government to the people of the southern atolls.

[11] In the letter he also mentioned about the southern atolls being deprived of elementary needs such as government assigned doctors, schooling, communication facilities or public utilities.

Seasonal epidemics such as flu, malaria, enteritis, typhoid, diarrhea, conjunctivitis outbreaks caused deaths annually, and when appealed to, the central government refused to help.

The Maldives lacked the necessary infrastructure (ports, airports, hospitals, schools, harbors, and telecommunications, as well as people resources) to enter the twenty-first century as a self-sufficient nation until the late 1950s and 1960s.

[2] Trading of even single coconuts or barters to the British troops were recorded through the government by the militia officers stationed in Addu and Havaru Thinadhoo to ensure taxation was imposed.

The impending disaster due to angry mobs trying to attack government facilities was informed by Abdulla Afeef Didi getting the officials to safety in British-controlled areas.

[1] The final blow to the harmony of the Southern atolls were from the arrest and physical assault on Ahmed Didi by one of the officials sent from Male'.

[23] The Addu nobles were accused of the death of Al-Ameer Hassan Fareed, claiming it to have been due to sorcery and were punished after they were brought to Malé.

Some were foremen of electric works, construction, vehicle maintenance and even chefs and were accustomed to living in large houses with tape recorders and imported cigarettes; which were luxurious goods to Maldives at the time.

[2] The affluence of Addu and Huvadhu merchants was always resented by the mercantile classes in Malé[1] and lack of cooperation from the capital hindered and limited its economic growth.

[25] The three atolls Huvadu, Fuamulah and Addu formed the United Suvadive Republic by breaking away from the sovereign authority of the Sultan on 13 March 1959.

ATC held a monopoly on trading within the atoll, raising significant capital through public shareholding and employing over 26 staff members.

The corporation facilitated trade with Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka) through an agreement with an Indian businessman, ensuring the export of products like dried tuna and the import of essential goods.

The Suvadive government established various ministries, including Home Affairs, Public Safety, Justice, and Finance, and provided services such as healthcare, education, and legal adjudication.

[26] The Suvadive administration implemented several reforms, including registration of births, deaths, property, and businesses, and the establishment of educational institutions.

Healthcare was notably advanced, with facilities provided by the RAF in Gan and a health center in Feydhoo offering free treatment to locals.

The revolt was sparked by the Maldivian government's imposition of new taxes and restrictions on the residents of Addu Atoll, particularly those working at the British military base in Gan.

[27] Afeef Didi initially acted to protect Ahmed Zaki, the Maldivian Government Representative, and warn the British at Gan about the impending mob.

However, the situation evolved rapidly, and Afeef Didi found himself deeply involved in the frantic efforts to find a suitable leader for the emerging separatist government.

The British Political advisor at Gan, Major Phillips, was already engaging with the Hithadhoo men and appeared willing to cooperate with a suitable leader.

[27] In the face of mounting pressure[clarification needed] and insurmountable challenges {, Abdullah Afeef Didi resigned from his position as President of the United Suvadive Republic.

[29] On 4 February 1962 the Kingdom of Maldives reacted by sending a fully armed gunboat to Havaru Thinadhoo commanded by Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir.