The Maldivian government has stated that it will not recognize the agreement being drafted by the British government to hand over the islands of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, and expressed hope that the United Kingdom will provide a fair opportunity for the Maldives' voice to be heard in this matter.
After colonizing Mauritius, the British granted it independence in 1970 only after Mauritius agreed to let the UK retain control over the Chagos islands.
Consequently, people were forcibly removed from the Chagos islands at that time.
Mauritius took the Chagos issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2018. In 2019, the court issued an advisory opinion stating that sovereign power over Chagos belongs to Mauritius.
After initially refusing to accept that decision, the United Kingdom agreed last year to return Chagos to Mauritius. However, the UK set a condition for Mauritius to lease Diego Garcia, where a powerful US military base is currently operated, for an additional 99 years.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has revealed that the Maldivian government has officially requested to hold discussions with the British government regarding this matter, objecting to the transfer of sovereign power of Chagos to Mauritius.
In a written interview with the BBC, the President reiterated the Maldivian government's belief that, based on historical and cultural grounds, the Maldives has a much greater right over the islands of the Chagos Archipelago.
In this regard, he stated that if Chagos is to be handed over to any country, it must be handed over to the Maldives.
The President said that everything possible within international laws will be done to acquire Chagos.
Furthermore, he stated that options are being explored to officially submit the points advocated by the Maldives to the ICJ.
"Our hope is that the United Kingdom, as a long-standing partner of the Maldives, will engage in meaningful discussions to resolve this issue in a spirit of historical accuracy to protect the interests of both parties," the President said.
President Muizzu has announced the decision to establish a Presidential Commission to investigate the officials "who worked against the interests of the Maldives during the efforts made by Mauritius in international courts."
Additionally, President Muizzu announced the official withdrawal of the letter sent by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to the Prime Minister of Mauritius, and determined that the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone is the area currently defined in law, including the sea territory that was previously conceded.
Due to the Maldives' objection to the Chagos agreement, Mauritius has now suspended its diplomatic relations with the Maldives in dissatisfaction.
