Presidential Commission Formed to Investigate Chagos Island Decisions

President Mohamed Muizzu has established a special inquiry commission to examine the decisions made by the previous administration regarding the Chagos Islands, also known as Foalhavahi. The commission was formed by presidential decree today, following the president's announcement in this year's presidential statement. The President's Office stated that the commission will investigate the country's handling of International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) case number 28. International experts appointed to study the case filed by Mauritius have suggested that a large area of the country's territory was lost due to how the case was managed. This is considered a major, irreparable loss for the Maldives' fisheries, sea, and seabed resources. The seven-member commission includes Ahmed Shakir as Chairman, along with Abdul Aziz Yusuf, Dr. Amina Shafiyah Adam, Dr. Abdulmuhsin Mohamed, Retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohamed Sodigu, Ahmed Alimani, and Fatimath Minhathu Azza. The commission's responsibilities include investigating the actions of state employees, advisors, and all responsible parties involved in filing and proceeding with ITLOS case number 28. It will determine if there was any legal negligence, review related documents and their storage, and propose measures to prevent similar issues in the future. The commission will remain active until the President determines that its work is complete. This development follows the previous government, led by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, which recognized Mauritius's political authority over the Chagos Islands. Solih sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Mauritius on August 22, 2022, which was officially released by the current government on December 19, 2023. The ITLOS ruled on April 28, 2024, that in delimiting the maritime zone, greater consideration should be given starting from the Chagos islands.