International Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Ibrahim Hussain Shihab has denied that there are any restrictions to diplomats in the Maldives.

Speaking to India’s ‘The Hindu’, Shihab was questioned regarding the Local Government Authority (LGA)’s decision to ban local councilors from meeting foreign officials without obtaining approval from the home ministry. Hours after the order was put in place, three members of the Gaafu Alifu council were suspended, for meeting with Indian Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra.

However, Shihab denied any restrictions, saying that the Maldives “respects norms of diplomacy and diplomatic engagement,” adding that “no diplomat posted to the Maldives by any country is restricted in their freedom of movement”.

“Anyone making such claims are severely misinformed,” added the spokesperson.

Maldivian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mohamed Hussain Shareef also weighed in on the matter, saying that all diplomats ‘are required to follow regulations laid down by the host foreign ministry and take due permission to travel across the country’.

“A number of resident and non-resident Ambassadors take the liberty of not informing the Foreign Ministry when they meet local officials. And some atolls seem to be getting a lot of love from resident and non-resident Ambassadors, especially those where the local government is controlled by the Opposition. That is bizarre,” Ambassador Shareef told ‘The Hindu’.

The LGA order was issued on December 11, not long after British Ambassador James Dauris’ visit to Thinadhoo island of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll, while his Indian counterpart was touring Gaafu Alifu at the time.

UK, USA, Australia and Germany have heavily criticized the Maldives government’s latest restriction, with Dauris calling it 'the latest unfortunate step in the Maldives', while US Ambassador Atul Keshap called it ‘a further restriction on democracy and transparency’ in the country.