Councils warned against meeting diplomats without permission

Local Government Authority (LGA) has issued a circular warning atoll and island councils against meeting foreign diplomats without permission from Ministry of Home Affairs.

LGA’s warning follows recent meeting with Indian ambassador Akhilesh Mishra by G. A. Atoll councilors and recent meeting with British ambassador James Dauris by G. Dh. Atoll councilors.

LGA said the authority has notices an increase in meetings by councils with foreign diplomats and members of international bodies in violation of the Maldivian Constitution and Supreme Court decision.

“Local councils are an extension of government services. And the actions and transaction of the councils represent the Maldivian government,” read the LGA’s circular.

LGA said that unchecked meetings by the councils with foreign diplomats and agencies could contradict Maldivian foreign and national policies as well as international declarations and agreements Maldives is part of.

“Therefore, under no circumstances should local councils communicate with foreign States or organizations and institutions or their representatives unless with special permission from Ministry of Home Affairs,” read the circular.

The circular cited Article 115 (j) of the Constitution, which states oversight of Maldivian foreign policies, establishment and execution of Maldivian foreign policies and establishment and maintenance of relations with foreign States and international bodies as powers and responsibilities of the President.

It also cited a Supreme Court ruling establishing local councils must be run under the central government.

LGA warned action against councils which do not follow the circular under “Policy for Ranking of Correction Measures for Unlawful Actions by Councils”.

Meanwhile, Vice President of G. A. Atoll Council, Ahmed Nazmeen, who attended the recent meeting with Indian ambassador Mishra, criticized that the LGA shouldn’t be issuing circulars and giving instructions after the meetings have already taken place.

“If something isn’t allowed, policies and regulations should be in place. But they are issuing circulars after something happens,” said Nazmeen.

Nazmeen said the G. A. Atoll Council did not hold meetings with foreign diplomats to promote a specific political view or work against certain politicians, but to discuss projects to develop islands.

The circular also comes after deputy leader of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives’s parliamentary group, Vilifushi MP Riyaz Rasheed alleged neighboring countries were jealous of progress made by Maldives during a recent PPM gathering. He also criticized Ambassador Mishra during the same gathering.

Riyaz said it wasn’t part of the ambassador’s duties to meet with local councils and oversee their work.

In addition to G. A. Atoll councilors, Mishra recently met with deputy mayor of Addu City Mohamed Yashfir and his wife, mayor of Fuvahmulah City Abdulla Falah Shareef, president of H. A. Atoll Council Ahmed Athif and other members of the council, and members of A. A. Ukulhas Council.