EEZ Loss: Nasheed Calls Out Solih's Negligence, Defends Azim

In a striking development concerning the controversial loss of a significant part of the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to Mauritius, former President Mohamed Nasheed has taken to Twitter to express his condemnation and to blame the current President, Ibrahim Mohammed Solih, for the maritime debacle.

The Maldives' loss of 45,331 km2 of its EEZ, a vital area for its economy, particularly the fishing industry, has been a contentious issue. The loss resulted from a recent ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), favoring Mauritius' claim over the disputed area.

In his tweet, Nasheed accused President Solih of negligence, stating that the latter did not consult the parliament when he unilaterally decided to give up part of the EEZ. This decision, Nasheed suggests, is a significant departure from the nation's long-standing stance since 1996 of refusing to accept Mauritius' claim over the sovereignty of the Chagos islands.

"There is clear negligence, hence it isn't Ali Azim who should be removed from MDP," Nasheed further tweeted, in reference to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s recent decision to remove MP Ali Azim, the party's former parliamentary group leader, from the party. Azim was ousted following his signing of a no-confidence motion against Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath over the EEZ loss.

Nasheed's remarks add another dimension to the growing controversy surrounding the EEZ loss, exposing internal conflicts within the ruling MDP and hinting at a potential power struggle. With Nasheed publicly criticizing President Solih's decision and calling out the MDP's actions, the political ramifications of the EEZ loss continue to unfold, impacting not only the nation's economic interests but also its political landscape.