Munavvar: AG can only provide counsel in Chagos dispute after parliamentary approval

Former Attorney General and maritime law expert Dr. Mohamed Munavvar, on Sunday, states Attorney General Ahmed Usham can only provide the legal counsel sought by the government with respect to the ruling by the International Tribunal of the Law of the Seas (ITLOS) regarding Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) after he receives approval from the parliament.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to research the ITLOS’ ruling and undertake all efforts to necessary regain maritime territory which the Maldives had lost subsequent to the former administration’s policies regarding the case. 

It is an electoral pledge of the President to regain the lost the maritime area. Legal counsel from Munavvar was sought as part of these efforts on January 25^th.

Speaking to Sun regarding the matter, Munavvar underscored the cabinet ministers can only discharge their duties upon receiving parliamentary approval. As the parliament has not granted approval to Usham, questions have been raised over his legal stature. Henceforth, Munavvar said matters pertaining to legal counsel have been stalled at the moment.

“The constitution states responsibilities can only be discharged after receiving parliamentary approval. Since I have questions in this regard, the work has been slightly stalled,” he said.

Munavvar, underscoring he is not intent on not providing any legal counsel, states efforts in this trajectory will be resumed as soon as Usham receives approval from the parliament.

“I do not require such a long time to provide legal counsel,” he added.

However, Munavvar expressed concern over the impending conclusion of his role in the matter after the provision of legal counsel. In this regard, he conveyed his wishes for a deeper involvement in the case than at present.

“Such a legal opinion is provided on a certain fee. It is something that bothers me. Lawyers work for a fee. However, it is difficult for me to say things have concluded in such a case involving national interest after receiving a free for the legal opinion,” he said.

The ongoing 19^th parliamentary assembly where the opposition MDP holds the majority withheld parliamentary approval to three ministers including Usham – with Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed and Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar being the other.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu nevertheless reappointed the three individuals to their posts. The Parliament, however, has yet to grant approval to the three ministers to date.

Ruling PNC has previously cited granting approval to the three ministers as the highest priority after the incoming 20^th parliamentary assembly – where the party has secured supermajority – is sworn-in on May 28^th.

The 95,563 square kilometers of maritime territory in dispute had been used by the Maldives previously despite not exerting sovereignty over the area. ITLOS, in April 28^th of last year, decided to divide the are using equidistance formula. Subsequently, Maldives received 47,232 square kilometers while Mauritius received 45,331 square kilometers.