Previous Govt’s Chagos Agreement Was a ‘Betrayal’, Says the PM

In a dramatic return to parliamentary proceedings yesterday, the mood was charged as Opposition Leader Joe Lesjongard confronted Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam with a Private Notice Question (PNQ) regarding the status of negotiations between Mauritius and the United Kingdom over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.

Ramgoolam revealed that the final agreement is ready for signing, expressing confidence in the ongoing dialogue with the British Foreign Office.

“I recently spoke with the British Prime Minister, who assured me he intends to move forward with the agreement concerning Chagos.

We remain hopeful for a swift resolution in the coming weeks,” he stated.

However, the Prime Minister was quick to condemn the previous agreement negotiated by the former government led by the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), labelling it a “betrayal.”

He emphasized that Mauritius could not accept an arrangement that compromised its sovereignty.

“The issue of sovereignty was paramount and needed to be clear and unambiguous, covering the entire archipelago, including Diego Garcia.

The previous agreement failed to do this,” he insisted.

Ramgoolam also denounced a controversial clause in the previous deal that allowed for a 99-year lease, which could be unilaterally extended by the British government.

“We categorically rejected that. We insisted that any extension must be mutually agreed upon, and I am pleased to announce that the British have accepted this condition,” he added.

He pointed to the significant influence of American politics in these negotiations, suggesting that the British may be delaying progress until they see the outcome of a potential re-election of Donald Trump.

Addressing the involvement of Olivier Bancoult, leader of the Chagos Refugees Group, Ramgoolam assured that Bancoult has been kept informed by both himself and the Deputy Prime Minister.

However, he noted that the British have limited negotiations to the Mauritian and British governments only.

On the matter of resettlement and compensation for the Chagossians, he confirmed that special funds have been earmarked for this purpose.

Lesjongard raised concerns over the role of lawyer Philippe Sands, who has been engaged in the Chagos case since 2008.

Ramgoolam clarified that Sands’ contract expired on December 31, 2024, and a new legal team has been assembled to review the agreement.

“I have written to Philippe Sands to thank him for his services and to suggest he remains in contact,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister announced his forthcoming participation at an African Union meeting and invited Bancoult to accompany him.

“It is vital to keep our African brothers informed about the developments and the completion of Mauritius’s decolonisation process,” he asserted, highlighting the importance of regional solidarity in this pivotal issue.

Source: l’Express