MPs call for AG's resignation over Chagos policy change

Several lawmakers on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath over President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's letter to the Prime Minister of Mauritius recognising that Mauritius has sovereignty over the Chagos islands.

The government reversed its decision this year after having voted twice in the United Nations against Mauritius’ claim that Chagos was a part of them.

In August, President Solih sent a letter informing the Mauritian prime minister of the state's decision to vote in favour of Mauritius in the Chagos case. The existence of the letter first came to light when Attorney General Riffath had made it public at a UN tribunal hearing late last month, a hearing for Mauritius' sea delimitation to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). 

Even when Chagos issue is not on the agenda in parliament, members have criticised the government's decision while debating other issues in the last two parliament sessions.

Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain, who was debating the evidence law amendment bill in Tuesday’s session, had also criticised the Attorney General. He criticised the government for giving priority to other issues while having serious issues like the Chagos case to deal with.

"We believe this is something that needs to be done [amending the Evidence Act]. However, giving this matter precedence over all else and submitting the amendments so quickly, makes me wonder if the amendments were even done properly," Ali Hussain said.

Questioning the actions of Riffath, Ali Hussain said that while the President had written to the Mauritian Prime Minister, he would have sought the advice of Riffath on the matter, and that the parliament should take cognisance of his actions from now on. He added that the parliament should be cautious about the bills sent to parliament by the state.

"What the Attorney General is doing needs to be carefully looked into. Is this bill sent correctly, with the right intentions? We have to see if this will once again cost the country MVR 300 million in loss," Ali Hussain said.

Maduvvari MP Adam Shareef also spoke about Chagos during a debate on the evidence bill. He said that if a PPM government is elected, those holding government posts now will be held accountable for the detrimental decisions of the present government.

Stating that a case has already been filed in the parliament seeking the disclosure of the president's letter and that the work will not be stopped either, he said that a no-confidence motion will be moved against the government officials involved in the case.

"For now, we will continue to seek the letter sent to Mauritius in the case of Chagos from within the government. We will also motion for no-confidence of some state functionaries in this case here," he said.

During Wednesday's sitting, Naifaru MP Shiyam also criticised Riffath. He said the president took a decision to illegally undermine the country's sovereignty. He declared this after noting that the president had not sought the parliament’s advice before writing the letter to Mauritius.

He claimed that the president should resign and if the president was advised by the attorney general, he should also step down.

"It is a matter of utmost concern and we believe that if such a decision is taken by the president, he should hold himself accountable. Otherwise, if the recommendation was given by the Attorney General, then the Attorney General should step down," Shiyam said.