News Desk
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said today that the Chagos archipelago, known in Dhivehi as Folhavahi, has long‑standing historical links to Maldives and that the Maldives is the rightful heir if the United Kingdom decides to hand over the territory. He made the remarks at his weekly press briefing at the President’s Office, where he set out the government’s position on the issue in clearer terms than previous administrations.
The President said there is substantial historical evidence showing that Chagos was once part of the Maldivian realm. He referred to a letter sent by Sultan Hassan IX in the sixteenth century, which included a chart describing the islands and their connection to the Maldivian state. This documentation predates the creation of Mauritius as a modern state.
According to the President, the letter, the chart and the records from the reign of Sultan Hassan IX describe a transaction carried out by the Maldivian state. He said this strengthens the Maldives’ historical claim and shows that the islands were administered as part of Maldives centuries before colonial-era changes.
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On the question of ownership, the President said Chagos has a clear historical connection to the Maldives. He said that if the British government decides to hand over the territory, the Maldives is the only rightful recipient. He noted that this position had not been stated so directly before, but said the historical record leaves little room for doubt.
The President said the government is now preparing to submit the matter to the relevant international authorities in line with established procedures. He said negotiations are ongoing with the British government and that he has already held discussions with the British Deputy Prime Minister. He also noted that he raised the issue in his Presidential Address at the opening of the People’s Majlis.
President stated in his presidential address to the People’s Majlis:
| “ | “… I wish to highlight two matters of great importance to the sovereignty of our State. One of these is the issue of Foalhavahi, the Chagos Islands.
Folhavahi has been known to Maldivians for centuries — long before any colonial power arrived in this region or the Indian Ocean. It lies within the natural maritime domain of the Maldives, and our ancestors named it in the Dhivehi language. It is referenced in historical records of the Maldivian navy and maritime tradition. Knowledge of Foalhavahi has been preserved through folklore and oral history to this day. Likewise, official documents of the Maldivian State confirm that the Maldivian kingdom included Foalhavahi within its political boundaries. With these factors in mind, the waters around Foalhavahi — including Foalhavahi — have, since ancient times, been part of the daily life of Maldivian fishermen, who continue to travel and fish in the area with ease. This region has long formed an essential part of the maritime and fishing culture of the Maldivian people. Accordingly, the Government of the Maldives submitted formal written objections to the Government of the United Kingdom on 8 November 2024 and 18 January 2026, expressing our firm opposition to the British decision to grant ownership of Foalhavahi to Mauritius. Furthermore, on 15 December 2025, during an online call with the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, The Right Honourable David Lammy, I raised this matter directly and conveyed the Government’s desire to engage in discussions with the UK regarding this issue. In addition to these efforts, we have consistently communicated and advocated the Maldives’ concerns regarding any transfer of sovereignty to Mauritius in every relevant international forum. At the same time, we have conveyed our strong objections to the Government of Mauritius and to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) concerning the policies adopted by Mauritius in the economic use of the Foalhavahi area.” (Unofficial translation) Presidential address 2026 |
He said the government is preparing the necessary documentation and will take all required steps to secure the Maldives’ rights. He said that if the territory is handed over to any country, it must be handed over to Maldives.
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