MALE, Maldives — President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has officially revoked a 2022 letter that signaled Maldivian support for Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. The announcement, made during the President’s Address at the opening of Parliament, marks a major pivot in the nation’s Indian Ocean diplomacy.The withdrawn letter, sent by the previous administration on August 22, 2022, had supported a UN General Assembly resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). President Muizzu stated that the decision to reverse this stance followed a comprehensive review, which concluded that the previous government’s shift was “abrupt” and lacked proper procedural safeguards.The Maldives government argues that historical and cultural ties link the archipelago to Foalhavahi (an area within Chagos). Officials cited a 16th-century royal decree as evidence of longstanding Maldivian claims in the region.
National Inquiry and Defense Strategy
To address the legal and political shifts of the past two years, President Muizzu announced the establishment of a national inquiry. This body will investigate the circumstances surrounding the previous administration’s decision-making process regarding the Chagos issue.While recalibrating its diplomatic stance, the government emphasized its commitment to maritime security:
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EEZ Surveillance: The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has launched a special operation using the Coast Guard vessel Dharumavantha and Air Corps drones to monitor the southern Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
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Sovereignty: The Ministry of Defence reaffirmed that the Maldives’ maritime boundaries remain unchanged under the Maritime Zones Act, covering the 200-nautical-mile EEZ.
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Military Upgrades: The administration has expanded its maritime patrol resources and deployed modern air platforms over the last two years to safeguard national interests.
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Broader Policy Initiatives
Beyond foreign policy, the three-hour Presidential Address outlined several ambitious domestic goals. President Muizzu announced plans to develop ten new tourist resorts to bolster the economy. Furthermore, he proposed a unique wealth-distribution initiative where $400 USD would be distributed per citizen, with the requirement that recipients become shareholders in the program.
Despite the withdrawal of the support letter, the President reaffirmed that the Maldives seeks to maintain constructive relations with Mauritius and remains committed to a lawful resolution of Indian Ocean territorial matters.