Mauritius PM Demands Chagos Return at AU Summit: “Africa Not Fully Free” 

The African Union Summit in Addis Ababa has witnessed a passionate plea from Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam for the return of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. He has made a strong call, asserting the importance of the islands’ return for the completion of the decolonisation process.

A Cry for Justice

The Prime Minister, addressing the gathered leaders, highlighted the illegal excision of the Chagos Islands by the United Kingdom before Mauritius’s independence in 1968.

He emphasised the importance of this claim for the completion of the decolonisation process in Africa. Ramgoolam stated:

“Africa cannot be fully decolonized and free until the last colony on the continent, the Chagos Islands, is fully restored under our sovereignty.”

A Long History of Displacement

The Prime Minister also recalled the forced displacement of the inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago in the late 1960s and early 1970s, a consequence of the UK’s separation of the islands from Mauritius.

He emphasized that his government is taking special measures for the displaced people and their descendants through the Chagossian Welfare Fund.

A Decade-Long Struggle

The Prime Minister highlighted the ongoing discussions with the United Kingdom regarding the future of the Chagos Islands, expressing optimism about a positive outcome.

“Discussions are underway with the British government and are moving in the right direction. We hope for a positive conclusion,” he said.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of swift action in reclaiming the archipelago, which also houses the American military base of Diego Garcia.

A Positive Turn of Events

This matter, a source of diplomatic tension between Mauritius and the United Kingdom for decades, has seen a change in recent years with several international decisions supporting the Mauritian position.

In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion concluding that the separation of the Chagos Islands from Mauritius before independence was contrary to international law.

The United Nations General Assembly then adopted a resolution urging the United Kingdom to return the archipelago to Mauritius “as soon as possible.”

Following extensive negotiations between the United Kingdom and Mauritius, the process is reaching its final stage with a necessary green light from the Trump administration.

Meetings and Diplomacy

Dr. Ramgoolam also held a meeting with the Director-General of the WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Discussions encompassed the strengthening of bilateral relations, particularly in maritime security and the fight against piracy.

He then met with the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) to discuss Mauritius’s positioning as a financial hub in Africa.

Source: Defi Media