Mauritius formally challenges the UK’s ownership of Chagos Islands

Mauritius has formally challenged Britain’s ownership of the Chagos archipelago – Ambassador to the UN, Jagdish Koonjul, raised the Mauritian flag above the atoll of Peros Banhos for the first time.

“We are performing the symbolic act of raising the flag as the British have done so many times to establish colonies. We, however, are reclaiming what has always been our own,” Koonjul has been quoted as telling the Guardian newspaper.

Mauritian PM Pravind Jugnauth described event as an “historic moment”, saying it was time for the UK to cede control.

The event was the culmination of a trip to the islands organised by the Mauritian government.

A metal plaque secured beneath the flagpole said: “Visit of the Mauritius delegation to Peros Banhos archipelago, Republic of Mauritius, in the context of the scientific survey of Blenheim Reef.”

Three UN bodies have ruled that the archipelago – more than 5,000 miles away from the UK – is part of Britain’s old empire and should be handed to Mauritius.

But the Foreign Office said: “The UK has no doubt as to our sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, which we have held continuously since 1814. Mauritius has never held sovereignty over the territory and the UK does not recognise its claim.

“We are honouring the assurances we gave to Mauritius that we would not interfere with this survey.”

Asked what would happen if UK officials later removed the Mauritian flag, Jugnauth said: “I don’t know what they are going to do. If they remove the flag, this will amount to a provocation on their part. The UK is not abiding by international law judgments.”

Original articles at The Guardian/BBC