President confirms traditional boundary between Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo

President Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the jurisdiction of Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo, which voted to separate from the Addu City Council in a referendum held on 25 October, will be determined according to the traditional boundary between the two islands.

Speaking on Wednesday, President Muizzu said the government would follow the customary method used historically to define the separation between Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo.

“The government will not introduce any new approach. We have acted according to the decision of the people in this vote,” the President said. “The way Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo have operated since ancient times is the way we will continue.”

The boundary between the two islands runs along the road near S. Atoll Education Centre. The southern side of the road, south of the centre, belongs to Hulhudhoo, while the northern side belongs to Meedhoo.

Although the two villages were not officially divided by the road in the past, administrative operations were handled separately — the Hulhudhoo office managed the southern section of Aabaadhu Magu, and the Meedhoo office managed the northern section.

President Muizzu said that when the island offices were dissolved and the Addu City Council was established, the boundary was not formally recorded. The government now plans to formalise it based on the traditional separation.

“The government will consider the northwest side of the road leading to the central port, south of the S. Atoll Education Centre, as Hulhudhoo’s jurisdiction, and the opposite side as Meedhoo’s,” he said.

The President added that development projects in both islands would continue.

“This decision reflects the will of the people to advance development in both islands. The government will give high priority to all necessary works,” he said, adding that giving focus to smaller communities is part of democratic governance.

In the 25 October referendum, a majority of residents in Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo voted to separate from Addu City Council and establish their own local councils.

Following the vote, a presidential resolution issued on Tuesday formalised the change. According to the resolution: