Former President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom has accused the government of attempting to strip local councils of their powers, warning that the public will not remain patient if such moves continue.
Addressing supporters at the recent rally, Yameen said the central government cannot manage all affairs on its own and councils are vital to representing communities. He emphasized that the Constitution derives power from the people, and that depriving councils of authority amounts to denying them their rightful voice.
Yameen argued that councilors are the voices of their communities, and dismantling their powers would be an act of injustice that the public will not remain patient with. He accused the government of fostering oppression and warned that Maldivians would not accept a return to centralized control.
He also criticized the centralization of land administration, asserting that land affairs in rural areas should remain under local councils rather than being dictated by the central government.
The government has recently amended the Decentralization Act to reduce the powers of councils. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has also announced plans to abolish Atoll Councils ahead of the next local council elections.
Addressing supporters at the recent rally, Yameen said the central government cannot manage all affairs on its own and councils are vital to representing communities. He emphasized that the Constitution derives power from the people, and that depriving councils of authority amounts to denying them their rightful voice.
Yameen argued that councilors are the voices of their communities, and dismantling their powers would be an act of injustice that the public will not remain patient with. He accused the government of fostering oppression and warned that Maldivians would not accept a return to centralized control.
He also criticized the centralization of land administration, asserting that land affairs in rural areas should remain under local councils rather than being dictated by the central government.
The government has recently amended the Decentralization Act to reduce the powers of councils. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has also announced plans to abolish Atoll Councils ahead of the next local council elections.
