Nov 20, 2010

Challenges of Administrative and Security Cohesion

In a referendum the results of which were declared on 10 October only 19 of the 105 islands preferred consolidation of smaller atolls with the larger ones to create effective administrative units, 86 voted against the same. Alif Alif atoll Mathiveri, Alif Dhaal atoll Maamingili, Thaa atoll Omadu, Baa atoll Dharavandhu and Goidhu, Haa Alif atoll Baarah and Thakandhu, Haa Dhaal atoll Finey, Noonu atoll Kendhikulhudhoo, Raa atoll Inguraidhoo and Rasgethymu, Shaviyani atoll Fonadhoo and Milandhoo supported the plan. Although Haa Dhaal atoll Kulhudhuffushi islanders supported establishing a city, the islands to be consolidated, Nolhivaranfaru, Nolhivaram, and Kumundoo disagreed. While Feydhoo and Meedhoo of Addu Atoll disagreed on establishing a city, the remaining islands including capital Hithadhoo, Hulhudhoo, Maradhoo and Maradhoo-Feydhoo gave consent to the plan.  [Based on Haveeru online report].

While proposal for consolidation of the atolls to facilitate better governance and municipal facilities has been rejected, the overall turnout was low as only 30 percent of 88,882 eligible voters, less than 27,000 participated in the referendum. The decision of the voters would be a set back to the President and the ruling MDP which had proposed this measure for grouping two or more atolls to form seven provinces. The opposition had called the proposal unconstitutional as it could marginalise less populous atolls with disproportionate representation. The opposition wanted that the existing division of 20 administrative atolls and the capital Male’ be maintained. While the government’s argument for consolidation was no doubt logical lack of public awareness particularly in the small islands of benefits arising and low turnout may have scuttled the proposal.

Faced with challenges of a low population-wide geographic expanse atoll nation, Maldives held workshops for evolving a national security framework to identify the threats faced and find solutions for the challenges. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Defence Minister Amin Faisal said, “As this is a national security framework, a meeting like this would not yield an effective framework. The framework should be discussed among the political parties, NGOs and the parliament and should be legally passed.”  The presence of LeT and also of some Maldivian youth who were in colleges in Pakistan having taken training in the tribal areas of that country had alarmed Maldives watchers recently. These doubts have been dispelled by the President who stated that there were no indications in the recent past. However these issues will also have to be factored in the deliberations for evolving a national security framework.

 NOV 2010

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