Hoadhedhdhoo council opposes decision to remove Kadevaarehaa

The Island Council of GDh. Hoadhedhdhoo has issued a formal statement opposing the removal of the uninhabited island Kadevaarehaa from its administrative jurisdiction, following a presidential decree announced on Sunday.

The President’s Office stated that the decision was made to facilitate direct government implementation of a tourism project on the island.

In a press release published in the government gazette on Monday, the Hoadhedhdhoo Council described the move as an infringement on the rights of the local community. The council said the removal of Kadevaarehaa would limit economic development opportunities for the island and negatively affect the living conditions of its residents.

The council stated that Kadevaarehaa had previously been designated under Hoadhedhdhoo’s jurisdiction by a presidential decree. According to the statement, the island has been used by the people of Hoadhedhdhoo for generations and had been included in the island’s infrastructure plan as a designated tourism development zone. The development had been approved under the Integrated Tourism Development Model following community consultation, the council noted.

The statement also referenced President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to Hoadhedhdhoo in January 2025, during which he reportedly pledged to remove administrative barriers that were delaying tourism development on Kadevaarehaa.

The council made three formal requests to the government:

The council urged government authorities to reconsider the decision and retain Kadevaarehaa within the jurisdiction of Hoadhedhdhoo.