Chagos Sovereignty Campaign Reaches Abbas Ibrahim, Keeper of State Legacy

Malé, 21 July 2025 – In a momentous occasion, ‘Maldivians for Chagos’ members convened with Mr. Abbas Ibrahim, a distinguished figure residing in Malé City, at his private residence in Malé. The purpose of this historic meeting was to personally deliver the latest, explosive research dossier into the Chagos Archipelago.

Mr. Abbas Ibrahim is a seasoned stateman with a long and distinguished career in the public service of the Republic of Maldives. He previously served as the President of the Maldives National Centre for Dhivehi Language, History, and Culture. He served within the government across successive administrations. During his career, he worked closely with former Prime Minister Ibrahim Faamladheyri Kilegefaanu, President Ibrahim Nasir, as well as former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Abbas Ibrahim demonstrates extensive institutional knowledge and a profound understanding of the Maldives’ history, identity, and heritage. He is thus perceived as the living custodian of the national history, Dhivehi identity, and Maldivian state heritage. He is a recipient of the prestigious Nishan Izzuddin – the high honour of the Maldivian state in recognition of the contributions he has made to his country throughout his lifetime.

The Chagos research dossier was formally handed to Mr. Abbas at the meeting. It also features crucial legal-historical analyses and evidence on the fact of Maldivian Sovereignty over the Chagos Islands. It documents the lies on which the storytelling of colonisers, such as the British, as well as postcolonizers outside the Maldives, had been based, including the false claims of uninhabited islands and idigeneity of the “Chagossians”.

The meeting highlighted a profound respect and strategic engagement with one of the nation’s longest-standing and most secretive archives of state knowledge. Abbas received a warm welcome and conveyed his grave concerns regarding the alteration and misinterpretation of historical Maldivian claims.

This visit is part of a periodic quest to mobilise national seniors in defence of Sovereignty, truth and national dignity.