Abdulla Sadiq

Abdulla Sodig (Sobé, pronounced ‘saw-bay’) was raised by his parents in a part of Addu Atoll Hithadhoo called Randooga’ndu. Eldest of the seven children in the Family, he studied in Nooraanee School, Malé English School and went on to complete his higher education in University of South Australia (Applied Chemistry & Chemical Technology, BSc.). With a humble upbringing, Sobé was raised to uphold simple, yet universal values of mutual respect for individuals and the collective well-being of the community.

After returning to the Maldives, Sobé began teaching in Southern Secondary School, the first secondary school in Hithadhoo. During this time, Sobé and his colleagues started important community projects in Addu Atoll such as a preparatory school for students with learning difficulties. Sobé is also a founding member of ‘Maavahi’ (NGO) formed to encourage the debate and activism on sustainable socio-economic development in a harmonized and protected eco-system. An outspoken critic of the former-president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, Sobe was one of the pioneers of the opposition political movement in Addu following the political uprising of 2004 . He was imprisoned during the incarceration of political activists at the time, and was released after 74 days in prison. As a champion of Maldivian Democracy, Sobé started his political career as the Vice-president of the Maldivian Democratic Party’s chapter in Seenu Atoll.

Sobé was soon appointed as an Atoll Councillor following the Presidential election of 2008. Since then, Sobé has worked tirelessly to create development opportunities for Addu Atoll. Perhaps one of his most noteworthy accomplishments during his term in Office was to lobby for the legislation to provide City Status and the legal framework for the management of municipal funds and development planning by a City Council for Addu Atoll. The improved efficiency of operating local municipals (atolls and islands) through this reformed process removes the political and administrative obstacles that existed earlier.

With two kids and wife, Sobé currently resides in his home in Randoogan’du. Much like his constituents in Addu City, Sobé has a vision for a prosperous, united and peaceful Addu City. Determined, he continues his work.