Chagos dispute escalates as Mauritius severs diplomatic ties with the Maldives

Mauritius has severed diplomatic ties with the Maldives following the Maldives' continued assertions that Mauritius holds no sovereign authority over the Chagos Islands.

The decision to terminate diplomatic ties was finalized during a cabinet meeting held by the Mauritian government on Friday and has since been formally announced.

According to the Mauritian Prime Minister’s Office, the decision was prompted by the Maldives’ refusal to acknowledge Mauritius’ sovereign rights over the Chagos Archipelago and its objections to the recent agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius regarding the territory.

During this year’s Presidential Address, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced his administration’s decision to revoke the letter previously sent to Mauritius by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih regarding the Chagos issue. Furthermore, the President stated that the Maldives would not accept the ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) concerning the delimitation of the southern maritime boundary. He also affirmed that Coast Guard vessels would be deployed to patrol and safeguard the area.

Highlighting that the Chagos islands historically belong to the Maldives, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has also communicated this stance in a formal letter to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. In the letter, the President noted that should sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago be transferred to the Maldives, the Maldivian government would ensure the continued operation of the existing U.S. military base in the territory.

Diplomatic relations between Mauritius and the Maldives were first established 44 years ago, on January 15, 1981.