Gov’t to Seek Review of Chagos Islands Sovereignty at International Tribunal

The government has announced a strategic shift following the United Kingdom’s recent decision to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. 

Attorney General Ahmed Usham addressed the matter in a press conference at the President’s Office, outlining a new approach aimed at protecting the Maldives’ territorial interests.

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Attorney General Usham revealed that the Maldives will seek a review of Mauritius’s claim over the Chagos Islands at the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). He noted that the government has engaged a team of legal experts and established a committee to guide this initiative.

Under international law, nations have a 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around their waters. Mauritius’s assertion of rights over the southern Chagos Islands is seen by the Maldives as a potential encroachment on its own economic zone, due to policies set by the previous administration.

Attorney General Usham highlighted the importance of reassessing the Maldives’ stance in light of the UK’s decision. The government is currently working with international experts and legal advisers to draft a report, although the timeline for finalising this report and submitting it to the tribunal remains undetermined.

The Attorney General’s Office has also noted that the former government’s policies may conflict with the Maldives’ Constitution and legal framework, prompting further review and consideration for a potential legal challenge.