Govt: Will disclose the letter to Mauritius PM if 241 Committee requests

The government, on Thursday, expressed intention to disclose the letter from President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to Mauritian prime minister informing the government’s decision to recognize Mauritius’ sovereignty over Chagos archipelago if requested by the Parliament’s Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee).

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning, the President’s Office’s Spokesperson Miuvaan Mohamed underscored that the government had stated they would disclose the letter if requested by the committee.

“Should the parliament’s 241 Committee request the letter, the letter will be disclosed to the 241 Committee,” he said.

Nevertheless, he stressed disclosure of correspondences exchanged between leaders of two nations as a practice that is not followed in either foreign nations or the Maldives.

He added that those bringing up the letter are doing so for political purposes.

“Correspondence exchanged between leaders of world nations is confidential. Nevertheless, if the parliament’s 241 Committee requests the letter, it will be disclosed to them,” he said

Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) parliamentary group leader, North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam who also chairs the 241 Committee, at a press conference on Tuesday, said the president’s letter to Mauritian prime minister will be sought at the next convening of the committee.

Opposition alliance, meanwhile, has previously approached the President’s Office demanding the disclosure of the letter on Wednesday.