How to resolve AdBlock issue? Mauritius Prime Minister Raises Concerns Over UK-Mauritius Deal on Chagos Islands
Thursday, 28 November 2024 | Africa
The new Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, has expressed concerns over a deal made by his predecessor, Pravind Jugnauth, with the UK government regarding the Chagos Islands, a remote archipelago in the Indian Ocean. This agreement, which was reached after years of negotiations, would see the UK relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Islands but retain control over Diego Garcia for a period of at least 99 years. Diego Garcia is strategically important due to its military base, which is jointly used by the UK and the United States.
Prime Minister Ramgoolam, who assumed office just two weeks ago, has yet to provide specific details on his reservations about the deal, but his concerns appear to center around the lease agreement concerning Diego Garcia. Although the agreement has not been fully finalized and still requires a treaty, Ramgoolam's administration is questioning the long-term arrangement, with some officials suggesting that the lease could be problematic. One of the key points of contention is the duration of the lease, with some reports suggesting that the lease term could extend to 200 years, far longer than the initially agreed-upon 99 years. This has sparked criticism from several quarters, including newly appointed government ministers, who argue that such a long-term lease would essentially give the UK and the US control over Diego Garcia for an indefinite period.
The deal is also likely to face challenges from the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump. Marco Rubio, Trump's pick for secretary of state, has expressed opposition to the agreement, calling it a potential threat to US security. The US's military presence on Diego Garcia is seen as crucial for its strategic operations in the region, and any change to the lease could have significant implications for the US military's access to the base.
The agreement, which was hailed by both the UK and Mauritius at the time it was signed, was described as a "seminal moment" in their relationship. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and then-Mauritian Prime Minister Jugnauth both praised the deal as a demonstration of their commitment to peacefully resolving disputes and adhering to the rule of law. However, not everyone agrees with the terms of the deal. Some opposition figures in the UK, such as Kemi Badenoch, accused the government of mishandling the negotiations and failing to protect the nation’s interests. Additionally, advocacy groups representing Chagossians, the indigenous people of the Chagos Islands, have expressed discontent with their exclusion from the discussions, as they were forcibly removed from the islands in the 1960s to make way for the military base.
Prime Minister Ramgoolam raised his doubts about the deal after a meeting with Jonathan Powell, the UK's national security adviser. Ramgoolam indicated that he needed more time to study the details of the agreement with a panel of legal advisers before making any decisions. He also expressed surprise that the agreement had been finalized just a month before the general election in Mauritius, suggesting that the timing may have been politically motivated. The two sides agreed to reconvene in Mauritius in two weeks to continue negotiations.
Mauritius has long argued that its claim to the Chagos Islands is legitimate and that it was forced to cede the islands to the UK as part of an agreement for independence in 1968. At that time, the UK had already negotiated a secret deal with the US to lease Diego Garcia for use as a military base. The UK has apologized for the forcible removal of the Chagossians and promised to return the islands to Mauritius once they were no longer needed for military purposes. However, the UK has consistently maintained that Mauritius has no rightful claim to the islands, a stance that has been increasingly challenged in recent years by international courts and UN bodies.
Prime Minister Ramgoolam, who assumed office just two weeks ago, has yet to provide specific details on his reservations about the deal, but his concerns appear to center around the lease agreement concerning Diego Garcia. Although the agreement has not been fully finalized and still requires a treaty, Ramgoolam's administration is questioning the long-term arrangement, with some officials suggesting that the lease could be problematic. One of the key points of contention is the duration of the lease, with some reports suggesting that the lease term could extend to 200 years, far longer than the initially agreed-upon 99 years. This has sparked criticism from several quarters, including newly appointed government ministers, who argue that such a long-term lease would essentially give the UK and the US control over Diego Garcia for an indefinite period.
The deal is also likely to face challenges from the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump. Marco Rubio, Trump's pick for secretary of state, has expressed opposition to the agreement, calling it a potential threat to US security. The US's military presence on Diego Garcia is seen as crucial for its strategic operations in the region, and any change to the lease could have significant implications for the US military's access to the base.
The agreement, which was hailed by both the UK and Mauritius at the time it was signed, was described as a "seminal moment" in their relationship. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and then-Mauritian Prime Minister Jugnauth both praised the deal as a demonstration of their commitment to peacefully resolving disputes and adhering to the rule of law. However, not everyone agrees with the terms of the deal. Some opposition figures in the UK, such as Kemi Badenoch, accused the government of mishandling the negotiations and failing to protect the nation’s interests. Additionally, advocacy groups representing Chagossians, the indigenous people of the Chagos Islands, have expressed discontent with their exclusion from the discussions, as they were forcibly removed from the islands in the 1960s to make way for the military base.
Prime Minister Ramgoolam raised his doubts about the deal after a meeting with Jonathan Powell, the UK's national security adviser. Ramgoolam indicated that he needed more time to study the details of the agreement with a panel of legal advisers before making any decisions. He also expressed surprise that the agreement had been finalized just a month before the general election in Mauritius, suggesting that the timing may have been politically motivated. The two sides agreed to reconvene in Mauritius in two weeks to continue negotiations.
Mauritius has long argued that its claim to the Chagos Islands is legitimate and that it was forced to cede the islands to the UK as part of an agreement for independence in 1968. At that time, the UK had already negotiated a secret deal with the US to lease Diego Garcia for use as a military base. The UK has apologized for the forcible removal of the Chagossians and promised to return the islands to Mauritius once they were no longer needed for military purposes. However, the UK has consistently maintained that Mauritius has no rightful claim to the islands, a stance that has been increasingly challenged in recent years by international courts and UN bodies.