Mayor Azim: Seeing atoll-system return in a step back to the past

Male’ City Mayor Adam Azim has criticized the government’s decision to establish “Government Service Centers” across several atolls, arguing that the initiative reflects an attempt to reinstate the former system of atoll offices and atoll chiefs rather than empower citizens, warning that the move could set the country back by several years.

In a social media post commenting in the issue, Mayor Azim accused the government of seeking to weaken the authority of local councils and centralize power once again. He stressed that initiatives aimed at exerting political influence by limiting the role of democratically elected councils should have no place in the country’s governance system.

Azim further argued that, rather than devolving authority to the people, the government was attempting to reintroduce the former administrative hierarchy. He described the move as contrary to the fundamental principles of decentralisation and a threat to democratic values.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu officially established the “Government Service Centers” at the following atolls on Thursday: Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Noonu, Raa, Baa, Lhaviyani, Kaafu, Alifu Alifu, Alifu Dhaalu, Vaavu, Meemu, Faafu, Dhaalu, Thaa, Laamu, Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu.

According to the government, the centres aim to facilitate the delivery of services provided by national institutions through integrated service centres within administrative divisions, in accordance with the Decentralization Act.

In his post, Mayor Azim strongly condemned what he described as efforts to undermine the decentralized governance system, characterizing the initiative as an attempt to return the country to the “dark days” of the past.