This Gov’t hasn’t Taken Necessary Action on the ITLOS case, Says Dr. Munavvar

Former Attorney General Dr. Mohamed Munavvar has raised concerns, stating that the current government has not yet taken a clear position in the ongoing Law of the Sea Tribunal case. 

Dr. Munavvar made these remarks while speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office, during a briefing on the work of the Special Presidential Commission investigating the fall of a 21-year-old woman from a building. He was responding to a question from a journalist about the maritime boundary dispute.

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“I do not believe this government has taken the proper position the state should adopt at the Law of the Sea Tribunal,” Dr. Munavvar, who also chairs the commission, said, referring to the case involving the disputed maritime area between the Maldives and Mauritius, particularly around the Chagos Archipelago.

Background on the ITLOS Case

The dispute centres on a maritime boundary claim between the Maldives and Mauritius concerning waters near the Chagos Archipelago, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. Mauritius claims sovereignty over Chagos—which was previously under British control and hosts a U.S. military base on Diego Garcia, and has sought to delimit maritime boundaries with the Maldives based on this claim.

In 2020, Mauritius initiated proceedings at ITLOS to resolve the issue. The then-MDP administration of the Maldives acknowledged Mauritius’ claim to sovereignty over Chagos and agreed to engage in the delimitation process. This move was controversial domestically, with many arguing it undermined the Maldives’ maritime claims and gave undue legitimacy to Mauritius.

In 2021, ITLOS ruled in favour of Mauritius, drawing a maritime boundary that allocated a portion of the disputed ocean territory to Mauritius. This ruling was widely criticized within the Maldives for potentially compromising the country’s EEZ rights and economic interests.

Dr. Munavvar pointed out that the MDP government’s decision to cooperate with Mauritius and agree to divide the area was a key factor in the unfavorable outcome. He noted that President Mohamed Muizzu had also criticized the decision during his campaign, pledging to defend Maldivian maritime sovereignty. Despite attending campaign events supporting Muizzu’s position, Dr. Munavvar said he has had no meaningful communication with the president since the election.

Reflecting on his time as Attorney General under former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Dr. Munavvar said it had been established that the Maldives should assert its right to a 200-nautical-mile EEZ.

“I still believe in that and continue to advocate for it,”Former Attorney General Dr. Mohamed Munavvar

He added that he had not been involved in any official capacity in the government’s handling of the Chagos case, although he was approached by the Attorney General’s Office for his opinion. 

“I told them I wasn’t seeking any payment. This is a national issue,”Dr. Mohamed Munavvar

Dr. Munavvar further revealed that the government had tried to formalize a consultancy agreement with him, which he refused. 

“We’re talking about national maritime rights, not a transactional matter. The state must stand firm to protect what is ours,” he emphasized.

He concluded by stating that while the government did not follow up after the initial discussion, he remains personally committed to defending the Maldives’ sovereign maritime claims and ensuring the country’s rightful share of ocean territory.