The new Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, has voiced concerns about a recently struck agreement with the UK regarding the Chagos Islands.
The deal, brokered by Ramgoolam’s predecessor, would see the UK relinquish sovereignty over the islands while leasing Diego Garcia — a strategic military base shared with the US — for at least 99 years.
Although Ramgoolam has not elaborated on his specific objections, his reservations signal potential hurdles for finalizing the agreement.
A cabinet minister hinted that the lease arrangement could be problematic, and some analysts believe the deal might face resistance from US President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office defended the agreement, stating it was “in both sides’ shared interests,” particularly in securing “the long-term effective operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.” The spokesperson also emphasized that the agreement had been welcomed by both the US and India.
However, critics, including Trump’s proposed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have raised alarms about the security implications. Rubio described the accord as a threat to US interests, adding to the growing scrutiny around the deal.
Concerns Over Sovereignty And Chagossian Rights
The agreement was hailed by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and then-Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth as a “seminal moment in our relationship and a demonstration of our enduring commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and the rule of law.” But it has since drawn criticism from multiple fronts.
Mauritius’s new Minister of Agro-Industry and Fisheries, Arvin Boolell, has been particularly vocal, describing the agreement as a sell-out. Boolell suggested the lease terms effectively granted ownership of Diego Garcia to the UK for 200 years, far exceeding the publicly stated 99-year timeframe. He remarked, “The tenant has become the owner of Diego Garcia for 200 years.”
Ramgoolam, while more measured, has requested additional time to analyze the deal with a panel of legal experts. He expressed surprise that the agreement had been finalized mere weeks before Mauritius’s general election, hinting at possible political motivations behind the timing.
His allies in the Change coalition campaigned against the deal, accusing former Prime Minister Jugnauth of “high treason” and claiming desperation drove the agreement ahead of the vote.
Complicating matters further, Chagossian advocacy groups have expressed dissatisfaction with the negotiation process, asserting they were excluded from discussions. These groups represent descendants of the over 1,000 Chagossians forcibly removed from the islands during the 1960s and 70s to make way for the military base.
Diplomatic Isolation For The UK
The UK’s historical claim to the Chagos Islands—referred to as the British Indian Ocean Territory — has increasingly drawn international criticism. United Nations bodies, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ), have overwhelmingly sided with Mauritius, labeling the UK’s hold on the islands as illegitimate.
Mauritius has long argued that it was coerced into ceding the Chagos Islands in exchange for its independence in 1968. At the time, the UK had secretly negotiated with the US to lease Diego Garcia as a military outpost, a deal that remains contentious.
Britain has since apologized for displacing the Chagossians and promised to return the islands to Mauritius when they are no longer deemed strategically necessary. However, until recently, the UK maintained that Mauritius had no legitimate claim.
Critics of the current agreement, including UK opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, argue it fails to prioritize British interests. Badenoch accused the government of not knowing “how to defend our national interests” in its handling of the negotiations.
Jonathan Powell, the UK’s national security adviser, recently met with Ramgoolam to address his concerns. Powell confirmed that both sides agreed to reconvene in Mauritius in two weeks to report progress.
As negotiations continue, the future of the Chagos Islands remains uncertain, with questions of sovereignty, strategic interests, and justice for the Chagossians at the forefront of the debate.
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