UK and Mauritius make progress on Chagos Islands deal

The UK and Mauritius have reported “good progress” in ongoing negotiations regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including the strategically important Diego Garcia military base.  

The British government issued a joint statement with Mauritius, reiterating their commitment to reaching an agreement that ensures Mauritius’ sovereignty over the archipelago while allowing for the continued operation of the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease.  

These negotiations follow a deal struck in October 2024, which has faced criticism from some stakeholders, including Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who has called for renegotiation.

The joint statement provided no new details but emphasized the continued progress in discussions aimed at finalizing the agreement.  

The impending change in U.S. administration has added another layer of complexity to the negotiations. Incoming Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has expressed concerns about the deal’s potential impact on U.S. national security.

Some members of the Chagossian community have also criticized the negotiations, stating that their voices were not adequately considered in the process.  

The Chagossian community has expressed concerns that the agreement was reached without their direct involvement and have vowed to protest against it.
 

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