Mayor opposes plan for separate Addu island councils
At present, the decentralisation of Addu is overseen by one city council.
Top Stories
Addu Mayor Ali Nizar has accused President Mohamed Muizzu of attempting to divide Addu by proposing separate councils for individual islands instead of maintaining the current single city council structure.
Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo, which are geographically separate from the connected islands of Addu, have at times raised the idea of forming their own councils. At present, the decentralisation of Addu is overseen by one city council.
In the President’s Office podcast Rayyithunna Eku, President Muizzu said on Wednesday that a referendum would be held to decide whether Addu should retain its current city council or form separate island councils. He said that:
-
Each island in Addu would vote on whether to form its own council or remain under the city council;
-
Following the establishment of separate councils, a new city council would be created in Hithadhoo.
Responding to the remarks, Nizar wrote on Facebook that the proposal lacked research and was driven by personal interests. He described it as an attempt to create division among Addu residents.
“Cutting a path to escape the unfulfilled promise of the Addu bridge,” wrote Nizar, who previously represented Hithadhoo Central in the 18th Parliament.
He said the move would undermine Addu’s unity and development, which he linked to resistance against the policies of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s administration.
Nizar further noted that:
-
The unity of Addu residents was a key factor in opposing Gayoom’s administration;
-
Addu’s people rejected centralised policies that relocated residents to Malé;
-
The city council of Addu served as an example of decentralisation in the Maldives.
The government has confirmed that the referendum in Addu will be the first under the new Public Referendum Act, signed into law by President Muizzu on Monday. The administration is preparing to hold referendum in October, ahead of the council elections scheduled for April next year.
