Crucial Week for Chagos Archipelago’s Return to Mauritius

This week marks a significant turning point in the quest for the return of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. On Monday, November 25, Jonathan Powell, the UK’s National Security Adviser, is scheduled to meet with Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam in Port-Louis. Powell, who played a pivotal role in brokering a political agreement between Mauritius and the UK regarding the Chagos Islands, arriving as a special envoy from UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

During this important meeting, Powell is expected to present a draft treaty between the two nations, which could be submitted to the UK Parliament potentially by the end of this year.

Prime Minister Ramgoolam will be joined by key officials, including his deputy Paul Bérenger, Foreign Affairs Minister Ritesh Ramful, and the appointed Attorney General Gavin Glover, among others.

Notably, Ramgoolam has already engaged in discussions with UK MP Sir Geoffrey Cox and other legal advisors who are advocating for Mauritius’s interests in relation to the Chagos issue.

Additionally, Washington will be informed about the outcomes of this critical meeting.

Last Friday, November 22, Ramgoolam also met with the British High Commissioner to Mauritius, Charlotte Pierre, at the Prime Minister’s Office.

During this courtesy visit, the political agreement concerning the Chagos Islands was a central topic of conversation.

Pierre assured Ramgoolam of the UK’s commitment to expedite the resolution of the restitution process.

Under the terms of the proposed treaty, the UK would formally acknowledge Mauritius’s sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.

However, Diego Garcia, hosting a critical military base, would remain under British control for an initial period of 99 years, with the possibility of renewal.

During this time, the UK will retain “sovereign rights and authorities” necessary to ensure the operation of its military base, which is vital for its defense policy.

This arrangement is aiming to balance Mauritius’s sovereignty claims—supported by United Nations resolutions and international legal opinions—with the strategic interests of both the UK and the US, who are the primary users of the Diego Garcia base.

Beyond military considerations, the treaty is seeking to establish a stronger partnership between Mauritius and the UK across several sectors.

The two nations intend to collaborate on environmental protection efforts, including the creation of a marine protected area under Mauritian control, replacing the current British Indian Ocean Territory management.

Enhanced cooperation on maritime security and combating illegal fishing—key issues in this strategically important region of the Indian Ocean—will also be integral to the agreement.

In addition, a new economic and environmental partnership will be developed, with the UK financing infrastructure projects in Mauritius to support this collaboration.

A significant aspect of the negotiations including provisions for the Chagossians, a community displaced following their expulsion from the archipelago in the 1960s and 1970s.

Among the proposed measures is a resettlement program that would allow Mauritius to relocate Chagossians to certain outer islands of the archipelago, excluding Diego Garcia.

Furthermore, a support fund is planned, co-funded by the UK, aimed at improving the welfare of Chagossians, particularly those residing in the UK.

Once finalized, the treaty will take the form of a legally binding agreement under international law.

Its text will be released in the coming weeks, contingent upon reaching an agreement between UK and Mauritian authorities.

Concurrently, the UK government is preparing to introduce legislation in the House of Commons to incorporate certain treaty provisions into domestic law.

Both the treaty and the associated legislation will be submitted to the UK Parliament for review, with a target ratification date set for 2025.

Implicit in the timing is the hope to finalize the agreement before the newly elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, assumes office on January 20, 2025, when he will officially begin his second term.

There is considerable lobbying aimed at thwarting the return of the archipelago to Mauritius, with concerns about global security being cited.

Reports from the UK press suggested that Trump has sought legal advice from the Pentagon to challenge the agreement, initially signed under Prime Minister Starmer, and supported by current President Joe Biden.

In the UK, the government is taking steps to alleviate US concerns.

Stephen Doughty, the UK Foreign Secretary, stated in the House of Commons that his government is working to reassure Washington about the benefits of this regard, which has been deemed “inevitable” following a ruling from the International Court of Justice asserting that the UK does not hold sovereignty over the archipelago.

Source: Defi Media