Attorney General Ahmed Usham has announced that the UK's decision to cede sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has prompted a shift in the Maldives' government strategy.
Speaking at a recent press conference at the President's Office, Attorney General Usham outlined plans to seek a review of Mauritius's decision at the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). The government has hired experts and formed a committee to oversee this effort.
Under international law, countries claim a 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around their waters. Mauritius is asserting its claim over the southern Chagos Islands, which the Maldives contends has led to a loss of its economic zone due to prior government advocacy.
Attorney General Usham emphasised the need for a re-evaluation of the Maldives' approach in light of the UK's decision. He noted that the government is currently drafting a report with international experts and consulting with a team of lawyers, although it remains uncertain when the report will be finalized or when the case will be presented.
The policy adopted by the previous government appears to contradict the Constitution and laws of the Maldives, prompting a review by the Attorney General’s Office.