President Muizzu signs letter withdrawing Solih's letter to Mauritius on Chagos dispute

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has signed a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Mauritius formally withdrawing a letter sent by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih regarding the Chagos maritime boundary dispute.

President Muizzu announced the decision to withdraw the letter sent during the Solih administration during his presidential address at the opening of Parliament today.

It has been revealed that the President signed the letter shortly after delivering the address and is expected to officially send it to the Mauritian Prime Minister later today.

In 2021, the Maldives changed its position on the Chagos Archipelago and declined to recognize it as part of Mauritius. Following this, Mauritius filed a case at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Seas (ITLOS) concerning the maritime boundary between the two countries. Former president Solih subsequently sent a letter to the Mauritian prime minister amid the proceedings.

Addressing Parliament, President Muizzu said international legal experts had advised that the letter sent under the previous administration undermined Maldives’ territorial and sovereign interests. Based on that advice, he said the decision was taken to formally withdraw the letter “in defence of the rights of this proud state”.

President also announced that Maldives’ Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will be expanded to include the disputed maritime area, in line with provisions already defined in law. He said amendments to the Maritime Zones of Maldives Act will be submitted to Parliament to reflect this change.

In addition, President Muizzu said experts have recommended establishing a dedicated office to define Maldivian maritime regions, set baselines, and manage all matters related to maritime territory in a sustainable and coordinated manner. He confirmed that such an office will be established.