Mauritius remains hesitant to finalise an agreement to reclaim the Chagos Islands from Britain, despite mounting pressure from the United States, which operates a vital military base on the archipelago.
Following years of negotiations, Britain agreed in October to return the Indian Ocean islands to Mauritius, a former colony, provided the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island, remains intact.
However, the recent change in government in Mauritius has led to a reopening of discussions, reportedly to seek increased financial compensation.
On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with the newly appointed Mauritian Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, urging him to conclude the treaty with Britain.
“I made him understand that we do not agree with certain things contained in the agreement concluded on October 3 by the former Mauritian prime minister and informed him that we have made a counter-proposal which will be transmitted to him,” Ramgoolam stated during a meeting with lawmakers.
Reports suggest the outgoing US administration is eager to settle the matter before Donald Trump assumes the presidency in January.
Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger, addressing his constituency on Sunday, framed the issue as being primarily about financial terms.
“There are certain things that we cannot accept if we are true patriots,” Bérenger said.
“They are nitpicking about the compensation to be granted to Mauritius when for 60 years, they have illegally used our Chagos and our Diego Garcia.
“We will continue to negotiate,” he added.
The Chagos Islands remained under British control when Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s. Britain subsequently established a military base, which it leased to the United States, evicting thousands of Chagos islanders in the process.
These displaced islanders have since pursued numerous legal claims in British courts, seeking compensation for their forced removal.
The military base on Diego Garcia has been strategically significant, serving as a critical hub for long-range bombers and naval operations, particularly during the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
