The government has formalised a major restructuring of local council administration, with separate council secretariats established for Addu Meedhoo and Addu Hulhudhoo, while Atoll Councils and their secretariats have been abolished under changes linked to the Decentralisation Act.
The changes were made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu through Directive No. 12/2026, issued by the President’s Office on 17 May 2026. The directive implements measures connected to Presidential Decrees No. 33/2025 and 34/2025, which established separate island councils for Addu Meedhoo and Addu Hulhudhoo.
Under the directive, the Secretariat of the Addu Meedhoo Council, Addu Atoll, has been assigned the official reference number 1140, while the Secretariat of the Addu Hulhudhoo Council, Addu Atoll, has been assigned the reference number 1141. These names and numbers are to be used in official communications relating to the newly established administrative areas.
The Secretariat of the Addu City Council has also been restructured. Following the changes, the Addu City Council will comprise Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo and Feydhoo.
Directive No. 12/2026 also abolishes the South Thiladhunmathi Hirimaradhoo Council and the Secretariat of the South Thiladhunmathi Hirimaradhoo Council.
In a broader administrative change, all Atoll Councils and all Atoll Council Secretariats have been abolished, effective 17 May 2026. The move follows the 17th Amendment to the Decentralisation Act, which provides for Atoll Councils to be dissolved once councillors elected in the first local council election after the amendment’s ratification assume office.
The changes mark a significant shift in the structure of local governance, particularly in how administrative responsibilities are organised between island, city and atoll-level institutions.
