The government has classified President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's letter to the UK government stating that the Maldives is more deserving of sovereignty over the Chagos islands located to the south of the country.
In a lengthy speech at the Republic Day ceremony on November 10, Muizzu said he sent the letter in response to Britain's agreement to cede sovereignty over the Chagos to Mauritius.
Adhadhu requested a copy of the letter, details of the historical documents sent to the UK and a copy of the letter of response from the UK government. The request was filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The request was submitted through the Mahoali portal on November 12. The government failed to respond within the 21 days required by law and extended the deadline. The response sent on Thursday says the information cannot be disclosed.
The letter and documents were kept confidential, citing Article 31 of the RTI Act.
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Since this is a matter of public interest, Adhadhu has filed for a review of the President's Office decision.
Muizzu sent a letter to the UK after a joint statement was issued by the governments of UK and Mauritius to arrange the handover of Chagos. The agreement was the result of years of negotiations between the two countries.
The newly elected Mauritius government is now reviewing the agreement.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has also ruled that Mauritius has sovereignty over the Chagos. In view of the decision, the court divided the disputed waters between the Maldives and Chagos.
President Muizzu assumed office with a pledge to reclaim the territory That had been lost to Chagos. The government promised to file an appeal within the first 100 days, but it has not yet been done.
Attorney General Ahmed Usham recently said the Maldives' appeal over the issue must be changed with advice from experts due to the UK's recent decision to cede sovereignty of Chagos.
