Adhadhu has learnt that two vessels were intercepted by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) in Maldivian waters after the government rejected the International Tribunal for the Law of the Seas' demarcation of the border between the Maldives and the Chagos islands.
On February 5, during his presidential address at the opening session of the People's Majlis, President Mohamed Muizzu challenged the decision to demarcate the sea. He said the area lost as a result of the decision would be considered part of the Maldivian territory.
The Defence Ministry announced that night that it had taken control of the area in compliance with the decision. Adhadhu previously reported that the MNDF entered the area given to Mauritius by the International Court of Justice and intercepted two vessels.
"The surveillance operation, which is ongoing from the 4th of this month, will cover an area of 200 nautical miles from the southern baseline of the Maldives," the MNDF said, announcing the operation.
Areas where the vessels were intercepted.
However, further examination of the information revealed that the two vessels were intercepted by the MNDF vessel Dharumavantha from within the Maldivian territory.
Adhadhu requested details of the operation, but the MNDF has not responded.
Before the ITLOS divided the sea under the equidistance principle, 200 nautical miles from Gan in Addu city was the territory of the Maldives. Mauritius' sovereignty over the Chagos forced the division of the sea. But there was a 92,000 square kilometre unclaimed territory between the Maldives and Mauritius (Chagos).
The Maldives received 47,232 square kilometres, while Mauritius received 45,331 square kilometres. With the decision, the border dividing line starts at 106.5 nautical miles from Gan in Addu city.
The two fishing boats were intercepted 104 nautical miles off Gan. Although this is very close to the border dividing line, it is the Maldives' economic zone.
