Chagos Islands: Mauritius Prime Minister Revives Negotiations with UK

The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam, has announced that his government is reopening negotiations with the United Kingdom regarding the future of the Chagos Islands. This development has raised questions about a historic agreement that would see the UK transferring control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Ramgoolam, who assumed office last month, indicated that his administration has submitted “counterproposals” to the UK regarding the terms of the deal.

He expressed concerns that the initial agreement would not yield the expected benefits for the Mauritian nation.

In remarks made in Parliament, Ramgoolam reaffirmed his government’s readiness to finalize a deal, provided it meets the country’s interests.

Under the proposed arrangement, the UK plans to hand over the control of the Chagos Islands, a chain of over 60 islands in the Indian Ocean.

However, the agreement stipulates that the strategic military base on the largest island, Diego Garcia, would remain under British control for a minimum of 99 years.

This base is critical to US military operations in the region, housing around 2,500 American military personnel and playing a vital role in security operations in areas such as the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa.

Stephen Doughty, the UK minister for overseas territories, expressed confidence that the negotiations would ultimately result in a finalized deal.

On Wednesday, December 18, he stated in the House of Commons that it is entirely reasonable for the new Mauritian government to take the time necessary to evaluate the agreement.

He emphasized that the terms provide a fair balance of interests for both countries and have received backing from national security officials in the US and India.

Despite this optimism from the UK government, some opposition politicians, particularly from the Conservative Party, have criticized the ruling government for potentially surrendering sovereignty over British territory.

In the United States, President Biden has hailed the agreement as “historic,” highlighting its significance for the future operations of the US Navy base on Diego Garcia.

Conversely, critics, including some supporters of President-elect Donald Trump, have questioned the deal.

The history of the Chagos Islands is marked by controversy. Under British control since 1814, the islands saw the forcible eviction of nearly 2,000 local residents in the 1960s and 1970s to accommodate the US military base.

The base has been notably involved in US military operations across the globe and has also been associated with the controversial practice of covert rendition of terror suspects.

The proposed agreement includes provisions allowing displaced Chagossians and their descendants to return to the islands; however, they would remain barred from returning to Diego Garcia itself.

Located approximately 2,100 kilometers (1,300 miles) southwest of the Chagos Islands, Mauritius is an African nation situated off the eastern coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.

As discussions continue, the future of the Chagos Islands remains a focal point of national and international interest.

Source: Aljazeera