Opposition MPs visit PO to obtain Chagos letter
Presidential spokesperson said they could not meet the president because they did not make an appointment.
By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
Members of opposition parties went to the President's Office on Wednesday to obtain a copy of the letter sent by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to the prime minister of Mauritius recognising Mauritius' sovereignty over Chagos.
The opposition alleges that an April ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on the delimitation of the territorial waters between the Maldives and Chagos has led to territorial losses in the southern economic zone.
Members of political parties represented in parliament went to the President's Office at around 11.30 am. The members include:
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Vice President of PPM, Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam
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Vice President of PPM, Guraidhoo MP Ghassan Maumoon
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Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thoriq, who represents PPM
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Maduvvari MP Adam Shareef, who represents PNC
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Felidhoo MP Fazal Rasheed, who represents PNC
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Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain, who represents Jumhooree Party (JP)
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Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim, Thoddhoo MP Hassan Shiyan and Maafannu Central MP Ibrahim Rasheed on behalf of The Democrats
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MNP Vice President, Villimale MP Ahmed Usham.
Although the lawmakers went to the President's Office, they could not meet President Solih. President's Office spokesman Miuvan Mohamed told Atoll Times that they could not meet the president because they did not make an appointment.
The opposition has been criticising the government and demanding that the letter be made public, accusing it of influencing the ITLOS ruling.
Although ITLOS's ruling cited communications between President Solih and the Mauritian prime minister, the letter did not affect the verdict, according to the Attorney General Riffath.
Earlier this month, the opposition coalition had moved an emergency motion in parliament demanding the release of the letter. However, the motion was dismissed.
