Mauritius Sounds Alarm Over Chagos Treaty Delays and Middle East Conflict

Meeting on Tuesday, 3 March, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, the committee—which includes the Deputy Prime Minister, the Attorney General, and the Foreign Minister—voiced formal frustration that the agreement signed on 22 May 2025 has yet to come into force.

The Mauritian Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Chagos Archipelago has expressed grave “precaution” over the stalled implementation of the 2025 sovereignty treaty and the escalating legal controversy surrounding military strikes in the Middle East.

Despite a stated common will to accelerate the process, officials noted a total “absence of visibility” regarding when the treaty, which includes Diego Garcia, will actually take effect.

Illegal Presence on the Archipelago

Compounding diplomatic tensions, the Committee highlighted the “unauthorised” presence of individuals on one of the Chagos islands.

This development is viewed as a direct contradiction to the planned, orderly resettlement of the archipelago.

In a sharp rebuke, the Committee alleged that “certain wealthy individuals and political officials” have been complicit in facilitating this illegal presence.

Middle East Legal Concerns

The Committee’s agenda extended beyond territorial sovereignty to the worsening crisis in the Middle East.

Citing international legal experts, the Mauritian government raised concerns that military actions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran lack “any legal basis under international law.”

Specific concerns were raised regarding:

• The use of certain military bases in the conduct of the conflict.
• Iranian retaliatory strikes against states not originally involved.
• The overall intensification of regional tensions.

Stressing its commitment to a “rules-based international order,” Mauritius has issued an urgent call for an immediate ceasefire and the use of peaceful means to resolve state disputes.

Consultations with the Chagossian Community

Following established protocol on sovereignty matters, the government held consultations with representatives of the Chagossian community in Mauritius.

Led by Olivier Bancoult and including Harris Elysee, Roger Alexis, and Madeline Yardin, the delegation was briefed on the Committee’s findings and the ongoing challenges regarding the 2025 treaty.

Source: Defi Media