Negotiations between Mauritius and the UK regarding the future of the Chagos Islands are reportedly stalled due to financial considerations, as suggested by Mauritius’s deputy prime minister.
An agreement announced in October outlined that the UK would cede sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius while retaining a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, which houses a significant UK-US military airbase.
As part of the deal, the UK committed to providing financial aid to Mauritius, including yearly payments and investments in infrastructure, without specifying the exact amount.
A new Mauritian government, elected after the initial agreement was reached, has expressed a desire for revisions to the terms.
Criticism of the proposed deal has emerged in the UK, with the Conservative party opposition labeling it as a “monumental failure of statecraft”.
Initially hailed as a significant moment in UK-Mauritius relations, the agreement aimed to resolve long-standing uncertainties and disputes over the status of the islands.
Both countries affirmed their commitment to swiftly finalizing a treaty that ensures the functioning of the Diego Garcia base and grants sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius.
Remarks by Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger suggest that the monetary aspects of the agreement are a point of contention for Mauritius, emphasizing the need for fair terms.
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam indicated the UK’s urgency to conclude the deal before the inauguration of Donald Trump as president.