Maintaining Status Quo on Chagos Is Not an Issue If It Cannot Be Returned to Maldivians: Muizzu

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that if sovereignty over Chagos is not restored to its people, maintaining the current status quo would not be an issue.

The President made these remarks during his address at the official function held to mark Independence Day.

President Muizzu stated that historical evidence proves the Chagos Archipelago belongs to the Maldives, noting that this is clearly documented in the writings of King Hassan IX. Consequently, the President remarked that the Maldivian people believe if the islands were to be returned to their "rightful owner," they must be handed over to the Maldives.

The President stated that if that outcome cannot be achieved, continuing under the current arrangement would not be an issue. He further noted that discussions on the matter are ongoing in a spirit of national interest and for the sake of the country.

Consequently, the President's remarks have made it clear that the government no longer has any grievances regarding the ruling issued by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) concerning the delimitation of the maritime boundary.

Historical evidence proves that Chagos, or Peros Banhos, belongs to the Maldives. The writings of King Hassan IX provide very clear documentation of this. Therefore, the beloved citizens of the Maldives believe that if the rightful ownership of Chagos is to be transferred, it must be handed over to us. Otherwise, maintaining the current status quo poses no issue. Consequently, we are continuing the relevant discussions on this matter in a national spirit and for the sake of the nation.

President Muizzu

However, asserting that the previous administration's policy on this matter contradicted the Constitution and laws of the Maldives and undermined national interests, the current government has taken action. As part of President Muizzu's "First 14 Weeks" roadmap, the Attorney General's Office has been mandated to take all necessary steps to seek a reversal of the ITLOS ruling.

The government stated at the time that the Attorney General's Office had commenced work to study the ITLOS ruling and identify the subsequent legal measures that could be taken regarding the matter.

Subsequently, during a press conference held at the President's Office, a journalist questioned President Muizzu regarding the matter, noting that there has been no visible progress in the government's pledged efforts to recover the lost maritime territory.

On that day, President Muizzu reiterated that the Maldives is working with the British government to reclaim Chagos. In this regard, he stated that two letters have been dispatched to the UK government. Furthermore, the President noted that he has held discussions with the British Prime Minister via telephone regarding the matter.

Since assuming office, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has failed to demonstrate any tangible progress on the Chagos issue, beyond rescinding the Maldives' previous recognition of Mauritian sovereignty over the archipelago and refusing to accept the ITLOS ruling on the maritime boundary delimitation.