Atoll councils dissolved, ministry abolished, legal vacuum looms: Suood
Legal experts are expressing concern over a potential legal and administrative vacuum in provincial governance following the dissolution of the ministry previously tasked with overseeing atoll councils. Former Justice Husnu Al Suood emphasized that urgent legislative measures must be taken to address this gap and ensure the continued administration of the atolls.
Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood. | RaajjeMV | RaajjeMV
Former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood has stated that he believes a legal vacuum will emerge in the administration of atolls as administrative divisions, following the government's decision to abolish the ministry established to manage them after the dissolution of constitutional atoll councils.
The President previously abolished atoll councils and transferred their administrative powers to the ministry responsible for local government, centralizing all oversight and management under that institution. This decision sparked significant debate at the time, with many critics characterizing the dissolution of atoll-level governance as a major setback for the country's decentralization system.
The situation has now deteriorated further. With the dissolution of the ministry previously tasked with overseeing atoll councils, an "administrative vacuum" has been created.
Legal experts point out that such a vacuum would lead to significant legal and administrative concerns. In particular, it raises questions regarding the principles of decentralization and the separation of powers.
Former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood has also expressed concern regarding this issue. Suood stated that the potential administrative vacuum in the governance of the Maldives' atolls is deeply concerning. He noted that following the dissolution of the Atoll Councils mandated by the Constitution, the ministry subsequently established by the government to manage the atolls has also been abolished. Consequently, he believes this will lead to a legal vacuum in the administration of the atolls as distinct administrative divisions.
Consequently, Suood stated that he believes this legal vacuum must be addressed through legislative means.
To date, the government has not disclosed any detailed information regarding a framework for managing the current transitional phase, nor has it presented a permanent plan to replace the existing administrative structure. The lack of clarity on this matter has prompted opposition political figures and civil society organizations to call for greater transparency and the presentation of a clear roadmap for the way forward.
