Nasheed Warns President Muizzu Amendments to Decentralisation Act Could Trigger Unrest

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has warned that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s decision to amend the Decentralisation Act to allow the state to take land under island councils’ jurisdiction could trigger unrest against the state.

Speaking at the Aabaadhee 60 event in Thinadhoo City, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, last night, Nasheed said the law change was preparing the people to “riot against the state and stage a coup”.

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The event marked 60 years since Thinadhoo was allowed to be repopulated on August 22, 1966.

Nasheed linked the current debate over decentralisation and island land to Thinadhoo’s history, saying residents of the southern atolls had sought a decentralised system of governance during the 1960s.

He said disagreements with the central government over trade restrictions were among the reasons the three southernmost atolls sought to secede. He noted that the government required vessels from the atolls to travel to Malé before conducting trade with foreign countries.

The conflict culminated in the military opening fire on Thinadhoo residents on February 4, 1962, under the orders of then-Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir.

Nasheed described the forced displacement of Thinadhoo residents as one of the “darkest marks” in Maldivian history and apologised to the island’s people as a former president, a Maldivian and a human being.

Drawing parallels between the historical grievances of the southern atolls and recent changes to the Decentralisation Act, Nasheed argued that changes affecting atoll governance and land administration could undermine the country’s decentralised system.

“When you take away these lands from the people of Thinadhoo, from the people of Huvadhu, consider the history of these islands. Why do these islands stand up? Under what conditions do they come out in protest and overthrow governments? The Huvadhu issue is linked to the lack of a decentralized system and the leaders in Malé taking far too much control to run things from Malé. President Dr. Muizzu, you are setting the stage for another major coup. You are working to tear the Maldives apart,” he said.

Nasheed also criticised the provision allowing the President to take land under island council jurisdiction for state purposes, with decisions on the use of such land potentially left to the Cabinet.

He said the people would not accept such measures and warned that decisions affecting communities should not be made without their consent.

Nasheed urged President Muizzu to consider the historical reasons behind resistance in the southern atolls when making decisions affecting local governance.