President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that legal measures have been initiated to recover the relinquished portion of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), stating that those responsible for the decision should be questioned and held legally accountable.
Speaking delivering the Presidential Statement, the President said the area in question forms part of the country’s national boundary, as evidenced by historical records. He said the Government is taking steps to safeguard sovereignty and prevent further erosion of national territory.
President Muizzu said that on 18 January 2026, the Maldivian State will submit a written objection to the United Kingdom’s decision to transfer ownership of the territory to Mauritius. He added that the matter was also raised in a telephone discussion with UK's Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy in December last year.
The President said he had instructed the Attorney General on 19 November 2023 to review decisions by ITLOS that led to the loss of a large area in the south. He added a three-member committee was subsequently appointed, with its report submitted to the President on 22 January 2026. Based on the findings, a Cabinet paper was prepared and submitted on 25 January 2026. He said the Cabinet has since decided to act on the report and, on the advice of legal experts, has begun formal legal proceedings to recover the abandoned section of the SEZ.
Addressing Members of Parliament, President Muizzu said correspondence sent in August 2022 had negatively affected the security of the country’s sovereign territory. He noted that the affected maritime zone falls within areas defined under existing law, based on established archipelagic basepoints.
The President said a bill will be submitted to the Parliament to amend the Maritime Zones of Maldives Act in line with the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution. He also said experts have recommended establishing a dedicated office to determine territorial boundaries, basepoints, and maritime coordinates.
President Muizzu said irreparable damage may have been caused, stressing that those responsible will be identified, causes examined, and legal action taken where necessary. He added that measures are being put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The President reaffirmed that the Government will take all necessary steps to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty.