More than 30,000 signatures have been collected for the petition filed by the anti-government alliance against the administration's stance in the Chagos dispute.
The alliance has been collecting signatures both online and in-person in Male' and in other parts of the country mainly to oppose the 'secret letter' sent by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to seemingly cede part of the Maldivian EEZ.
The alliance aims to submit the petition to the relevant authorities in a bit to challenge the decision supported by the government at theInternational Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)
The petition said the ceded territory is the legal property of the people. It said that the people of the Maldives do not accept the current administration's decision to cede the territory and would call on ITOLs and other relevant agencies as well as the government to again investigate the matter.
Male' City Council member and PNC Vice President Ibrahim said that the petition is being well received by the public. In addition to the petition, the anti-government alliance is scheduled to hold a rally on the 2nd of next month.
Earlier this month, the ITLOS supported the Maldives’ stance while concluding the dispute between the Maldives and Mauritius on the overlapping maritime boundary issue.
The verdict favored the Maldives in its claim, according to 47232 sq kilometers - the larger portion of the overlapping area- to the Maldives.
But many are saying that with this decision, the Maldives is ceasing part of its EEZ to implement this decision.
The anti-government alliance includes PPM, PNC, MNP,JP, the Democrats, MRM as well several politicians.
