Councils banned from meeting with foreign diplomats 'out of fear', says Malé City Mayor

Malé City Mayor Shifa Mohamed has said that the recent order banning local councils from meeting with foreign diplomats was issued 'because the government is afraid'.

Speaking on RaajjeTV's Fala Surukhee programme on Monday night, Shifa emphasized that the Maldivian laws allow local councils to work with foreign diplomats and organizations, 'to improve the lives of the people'.

The Local Government Authority (LGA) had released a circular on Monday, ordering councils to acquire a special permission from the home ministry, prior to meeting with any foreign diplomats or organizations. The order came after British Ambassador Jamed Dauris' visit to Thinadhoo island of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll, as his Indian counterpart Akhilesh Mishra toured Gaafu Alifu atoll.

Shifa said that despite the order 'the system will not work that way'.

"Thinadhoo Council meeting with foreign diplomats has concerned [the authorities]. Them meeting with the Addu City Council had been a concern. However, we receive invitations to work with foreign organizations, to further strengthen the Decentralization Act," said Shifa.

Further criticizing the LGA, the mayor said that the authority consists of 'few members appointed by President Abdulla Yameen'. She said that the LGA has not been doing any work 'to strengthen the system,' adding that councils are not even given the opportunity to represent the people at the LGA 'now'.

Ambassador Dauris, who noted that the LGA circular was released after his meeting with the Thinadhoo Council, called the order 'the latest unfortunate step in the Maldives'.

LGA warned that action will be taken against those that violate the order.

The Local Government Authority was established in late 2010, and the first local council elections were held in February 2011.