President withdraws 2022 letter issued by former administration on the Government’s Position on Chagos Archipelago Advisory Opinion of ICJ

President Dr Muizzu has formally communicated to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, the decision of the Government of Maldives to withdraw the letter dated 22 August 2022 issued by the Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to Former Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. The withdrawn letter concerned a shift in the Maldives’ position with regard to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution entitled “Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965”.

The decision follows the President’s announcement in the Presidential Address delivered today at the first sitting of the first session of the 20th People's Majlis for the year.

Since assuming office on 17 November 2023, the current Administration has undertaken a comprehensive review of actions and positions adopted by the previous Government of Maldives in the case before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), entitled – “Dispute concerning the delimitation of the maritime boundary between Mauritius and Maldives in the Indian Ocean”.

The President’s letter notes that the sudden and unexplained change in the position made by the previous administration, midway through the ITLOS proceedings, had an adverse and detrimental effect on the Maldives’ interests in the case. Furthermore, the Government notes that this shift was unreasonable, unjustified, and made without due process.

In light of these concerns, acting under Article 115 (o) of the Constitution, the President stated that the Government of Maldives intends to set up a national enquiry to investigate the case.

The Government also notes substantial historical and anecdotal evidence indicating deep historic ties between the Maldives and Foalhavahi, in particular a 16th century royal decree by a Maldivian Sultan asserting sovereignty over the archipelago, as well as longstanding maritime interactions, underscoring the Maldives’ legitimate interest in the future status and governance of the Chagos Archipelago.

In his letter to the Mauritius Prime Minister, the President reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Maldives to engage constructively with the Government of Mauritius and other international stakeholders to seek a fair, balanced, and regionally stable solution, consistent with international law, while safeguarding the long term sustainability of the Indian Ocean, and the interests of the Maldivian people.