Mauritius Pledges Unwavering Effort to Reclaim Chagos Islands Following Collapsed Deal
Mauritius has vowed to spare no effort in reclaiming control over the Chagos Islands after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's agreement to transfer sovereignty collapsed. The country's foreign minister, Dhananjay Ramful, made the declaration at an Indian Ocean conference in Mauritius, stating that the nation will seize every diplomatic and legal avenue to complete the decolonisation process. This is a matter of justice, he emphasised, underscoring the long-standing territorial dispute.
US Support Withdrawal Derails Sovereignty Transfer
The remarks followed Starmer's forced withdrawal of legislation that would have handed the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a move precipitated by US President Donald Trump dropping his support. The deal, which had been in negotiation, aimed to transfer sovereignty of the Indian Ocean islands to Mauritius while maintaining control of the US-UK Diego Garcia military base through a 99-year lease agreement valued at $47 billion (£35 billion).
Trump initially supported the transfer but reversed his stance in January, warning it was an act of great stupidity. He argued that giving away the islands constituted a surrender and raised concerns that the territory could fall under Chinese influence, given Mauritius's alliance with China. However, less than a month later, Trump seemingly backed the deal again, calling it the best possible arrangement and asserting that the US could militarily secure the base if the lease ever faltered.
Political Fallout and Domestic Criticism
Following Trump's comments, the bill supporting the deal was dropped from the King's Speech scheduled for next month. While the UK government maintains that the agreement is the best way to protect the long-term future of the Diego Garcia base, it acknowledged that proceeding without US backing is impossible.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch hailed the government's decision, criticising Starmer's efforts in a social media post. She stated that if the Chagos surrender is consigned to history, it will be due to Conservative opposition from the outset. Badenoch accused the prime minister of fighting to hand over British sovereign territory and pay billions to use a military base already under UK control, contrasting Labour's approach with her party's commitment to putting the country first.
Reform's Robert Jenrick also welcomed the development, calling it a great victory if the deal is dead. He called for an inquiry into what he described as a shabby saga involving ministers and officials from both Labour and Conservative governments who attempted to sell out British interests.
Strategic and Environmental Considerations
A government spokesperson reiterated that Diego Garcia remains a key strategic military asset for both the UK and the US, with ensuring its long-term operational security as the top priority. The spokesperson confirmed ongoing engagement with the US and Mauritius but stressed that the deal would only proceed with US support.
The government has argued that the agreement is necessary to secure the future of the Diego Garcia base following a 2019 advisory ruling by the International Court of Justice, which supported Mauritian claims to sovereignty over the islands. However, warnings have been raised about potential environmental damage if sovereignty is transferred.
Last year, Labour's foreign affairs committee chairwoman, Dame Emily Thornberry, noted that despite assurances from the Mauritian government on conservation, the ecosystem around Mauritius has been significantly degraded. The UK established the Chagos Marine Protected Area in 2010, enforcing a no-take zone and other measures to protect unique habitats and marine biodiversity. Mauritius has consistently opposed this legal status, and a UN tribunal ruled it illegal in 2015, citing violations of Mauritius's fishing rights.
