President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reinstated Gaaun’doodhoo under the administrative jurisdiction of Hulhudhuffaaru in Raa Atoll, fulfilling key presidential pledge.

The change was formalised through Presidential Decree No. 9/2026, issued under Section 56-1(a) of the Decentralization Act (Act No. 7/2010), which grants the President authority to determine and designate the jurisdictions of city and island councils.

Following the decision, an updated jurisdictional chart for Hulhudhuffaaru has been published in the Government Gazette.

Gaaun’doodhoo was previously part of Hulhudhuffaaru’s jurisdiction under Presidential Decree No. 3/2020. However, it was removed on 25 August 2021 through Presidential Decree No. 4/2021 to allow the island to be utilised for industrial purposes under the Ministry of Agriculture.