Mauritius

Maldives Republic | 3 months, 2 weeks ago | tense

Mauritius Severs Diplomatic Ties With Maldives Over Chagos Dispute

Mauritius severed diplomatic relations with Maldives on Friday over a dispute concerning sovereignty and maritime boundaries linked to the Chagos Archipelago. The decision, made at a cabinet meeting chaired by President Dharambeer Gokhool, follows recent actions by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to challenge an adverse maritime boundary ruling and assert control over waters in the northern Chagos area. Three weeks ago, the Maldives National Defence Force launched a surveillance operation covering 200 nautical miles from the southern baseline. Muizzu also withdrew a letter sent by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih regarding Chagos and announced a commission of inquiry into the handling of the case.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 9 months ago | positive

Maldives, India, Mauritius, Sri Lanka Sign Charter to Establish CSC Secretariat

On 30 August 2024, the member states of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)—India, Maldives, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka—signed the Charter and an MoU to establish the CSC Secretariat. The signing took place in Colombo, hosted by Sri Lanka. The CSC aims to address regional security concerns including maritime safety, counter-terrorism, trafficking, cyber security, and humanitarian assistance. The event concluded with discussions on future activities.

Maldives Republic | 2 years, 3 months ago | concerned

Attorney General Challenges ITLOS Ruling, Cites Legal Flaws in Maritime Dispute With Mauritius

The Attorney General of Maldives disclosed findings from a review of the ITLOS ruling on the maritime boundary with Mauritius, citing legal flaws. The review, by a King's Counsel from England and a Maltese maritime law expert, suggests the ruling may be challenged due to the non-binding nature of the ICJ advisory opinion and procedural errors by the previous administration under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The current government criticized the previous legal strategy. Additionally, the Attorney General faces scrutiny for hiring lawyers Amy Sander and Naomi Hart, who previously represented the Maldives in the ITLOS case, for a separate ICJ case on Israeli occupation.

Maldives Republic | 2 years, 4 months ago | neutral

Ex-Attorney General Munavvar Joins Team Reviewing ITLOS Ruling

Former Attorney General Dr Mohamed Munavvar, an expert in maritime law, has been appointed by the Attorney General's Office to review the ITLOS ruling that redrew the Maldives' EEZ. He joins a British King's Counsel and a Maltese professor. The review aims to assess the prior government's approach to the maritime boundary dispute with Mauritius. The office will share findings with the public, Cabinet, and Parliament by February, aligning with President's 'Week 14' roadmap. A committee led by former AG Mohamed Anil, including representatives from AG Office, Foreign Ministry, and MNDF, is also reviewing the former government's legal stance. The ITLOS ruling gave Maldives a larger share but resulted in the loss of approximately 45,331 square meters from its EEZ. President Muizzu had campaigned on the issue.

Maldives Republic | 2 years, 5 months ago | neutral

Ex-AG Appointed to Lead Review of Former Government’s Handling of Maritime Border Dispute With Mauritius

The President's Office established a committee to review the former government's handling of the maritime border dispute with Mauritius at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). The committee, led by former Attorney General Mohamed Anil, includes representatives from the Attorney General's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Maldives National Defence Force. The ITLOS ruling on April 23, 2023, awarded Maldives 92,563 square meters but resulted in a loss of 45,331 square meters from its claimed Exclusive Economic Zone. President Mohamed Muizzu, then in opposition, claimed the Maldives lost maritime territory, a key campaign issue. The current government alleges former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih changed the Maldives' stance on a UN resolution regarding the Chagos Archipelago, possibly linked to a broader agreement. Solih's administration refutes this, stating the change in vote had no impact on the ITLOS case.

Maldives Republic | 2 years, 6 months ago | concerned

Parliament Reviews Solih’s Letter on Chagos Archipelago Sovereignty

Parliament Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee) reviewed a letter from former President Solih to Mauritius PM Jugnauth regarding Chagos Archipelago sovereignty. The letter, classified confidential, was proposed to be translated to Dhivehi for open review. Deputy Speaker Saleem suggested open analysis, while MP Naseem from PNC argued for closed-door. ITLOS ruled on 23 April 2023 that Mauritius has sovereignty over Chagos; Maldives lost some EEZ. President Muizzu plans to appeal.

Maldives Republic | 2 years, 6 months ago | concerned

Parliament Budget Committee Diverts MVR 10 Million to Legal Efforts in ITLOS Ruling Appeal

The Parliament Budget Committee diverted MVR 10 million from the MVR 400 million allocated for the Fuishidhiggaru lagoon project in the 2024 National Budget to fund legal work for appealing the ITLOS ruling on the maritime boundary between the Maldives and Mauritius. The total budget presented was MVR 49.5 billion. The diversion is part of the new government's strategy to reclaim lost maritime territory. President Muizzu, who promised to appeal during his first 100 days, has been vocal about the appeal. A pre-appeal review is underway led by the Attorney General's Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Legal experts have questioned the feasibility of appealing as ITLOS rulings are final and binding.

Maldives Republic | 2 years, 6 months ago | concerned

Maldives’ Absence at Colombo Security Conclave Raises Questions About Regional Security Commitment

The Maldives' absence from the 6th NSA-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in Mauritius has raised questions about its commitment to regional security. The meeting, attended by India, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and observers from Seychelles and Bangladesh, addressed Indian Ocean security challenges. Media reports in India interpret the absence as a sign of President Mohamed Muizzu's foreign policy shift towards China and Turkey, coinciding with his request for Indian troop withdrawal. On the same day, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef attended a China-organized forum. The Maldives had previously attended CSC meetings. The CSC, initiated in 2011 as a trilateral maritime security cooperation, was suspended from 2014 to 2020 due to strained relations under former President Abdulla Yameen. It was revived in 2020 with Mauritius as a member, and a secretariat established in Colombo in 2021. Its mandate includes maritime security, counter-terrorism, and cybersecurity.

Maldives Republic | 2 years, 6 months ago | neutral

Pre-Appeal Review of ITLOS Ruling Will Be Completed Soon: Muizzu

President Mohamed Muizzu confirmed that the pre-appeal review of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) ruling on the maritime boundary between Maldives and Mauritius will be completed soon. The ruling on 23 April 2023 gave Maldives 92,563 sq m but lost 45,331 sq m from its claimed EEZ. Opposition claimed a significant loss, which Muizzu campaigned on. The Attorney General's Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are conducting the review. Legal experts note ITLOS rulings are final and binding. Separately, the UK is considering abandoning plans to return Chagos Islands to Mauritius, prompting MP Qasim Ibrahim to urge reclaiming lost territory.