Yameen warns against confronting neighbours over Chagos dispute

Former President Abdulla Yameen said on Sunday that confronting neighbouring countries over maritime areas linked to the Chagos issue would pose risks for the Maldives.

Speaking at a rally organised by the People’s National Front (PNF), Yameen criticised the current administration’s approach to the Chagos sovereignty matter. His comments followed President Mohamed Muizzu’s presidential address to Parliament on Thursday, in which the President said the Southern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) includes maritime areas referred to in a letter sent by the previous government to Mauritius.

Following the address, the government said it would not accept the ruling of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and confirmed the withdrawal of a letter sent by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to Mauritius.

Addressing supporters on Sunday, Yameen said challenging international rulings and engaging in disputes with neighbouring states was not in the Maldives’ interest. He said countries are required to operate within international legal frameworks and that the Maldives does not have the capacity to disregard such systems.

Yameen said any effort to reclaim maritime areas should begin with submitting a case to ITLOS and pursuing the matter through legal proceedings. He said international law provides mechanisms for dispute resolution and these should be followed.

He also said that if a situation escalates to the level of armed conflict, the Constitution requires the matter to be presented to Parliament for a decision, adding that such action cannot be taken solely at the discretion of the President.

Yameen said the current administration’s actions appear linked to the upcoming council elections. He said the issue had not been addressed for two years and questioned the timing and intent behind the government’s current position.

He reiterated that the Maldives should return to ITLOS to pursue legal negotiations and resolve the matter through established international processes.