The government is advancing a legal strategy to reclaim contested southern maritime territory by appointing international counsel to challenge a prior ruling, Ahmed Usham, the attorney general, disclosed Wednesday at the President's Office. Restoring this boundary remains a central campaign pledge for President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who attributes the forfeiture, costing sovereign waters and USD 2.40 million, to his predecessors’ mismanagement.
Following an Attorney General’s Office review, an investigative team presented findings to the cabinet, which resolved to escalate the matter before international bodies. “In accordance with the recommendation to advance this initiative, we are currently in the process of delegating the work to international lawyers and subject matter experts,” Usham stated.
He continued, “Even as I speak, that work is actively progressing. The procedure of formally appointing a legal party is underway. I am confident that within the coming two weeks, we will be positioned to share more comprehensive details regarding the trajectory of this undertaking.”
The dispute commenced as arbitration initiated by Mauritius, President Muizzu outlined in March. Had proceedings concluded unfavourably, the Maldives retained strong appellate opportunities, he asserted. Instead, the prior administration pre-emptively transferred the case to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea before Mauritius requested the shift, precipitating a detrimental ruling.
Overturning that decision at this juncture will prove difficult, officials concede. Nevertheless, the government withdrew an unlawful letter to Mauritius last February and vowed punitive measures for the resulting sovereign loss.