Stalled Chagos Talks: Mauritius and UK Negotiations Over Sovereignty Hit Financial Snags

Ongoing discussions between Mauritius and the UK over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands appear to be hampered by financial disagreements, with the new Mauritian government seeking enhancements to a previously agreed deal. Criticism arises within the UK political landscape as both nations aim to finalize the treaty.

Mauritius's deputy prime minister has revealed that the negotiations regarding the future of the Chagos Islands are experiencing delays, primarily due to disputes over financial terms. In October, a preliminary agreement was reached where the UK would transfer sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius while retaining a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, which houses a significant UK-US military airbase. The agreement stipulated that the UK would extend a package of financial assistance to Mauritius, which would include annual payments and infrastructure investments. However, the specifics of these financial provisions remain undisclosed by both parties.

Since the initial deal was struck, a new government was elected in Mauritius, and it has signaled a desire to revisit certain aspects of the agreement. The deal has also faced backlash from the UK, with the Conservative party criticizing the situation as a severe failure in governance. Initially, leaders of both nations described the deal as a pivotal moment in their relations, aiming to resolve long-standing disputes surrounding the islands.

A joint communication issued recently reaffirmed both countries' commitment to finalize a treaty promptly, facilitating the operation of the existing military base while establishing Mauritius's sovereignty over the islands. However, the new Mauritian government has not publicly outlined the exact reasons for its concerns with the deal. Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger addressed constituents, emphasizing the importance of financial considerations in the negotiations. He expressed the sentiment that while financial support is crucial for the country’s recovery from previous economic issues, Mauritius will not compromise its sovereignty for a mere monetary sum.

In the Parliament, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam indicated a sense of urgency in concluding the agreement before the inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20. Concerns have been raised in the UK about the implications of the deal on national security, especially following remarks from several political figures, including Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel, who claimed that the government's decision puts UK security at risk and neglects the interests of Chagossians.

Conversely, Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty reassured that the agreement was designed to bolster, not undermine, UK security by ensuring the military base's continued operational viability for the foreseeable future. The UK's claim over the British Indian Ocean Territory and retention of the Chagos Islands has drawn criticism from the international community, without which numerous UN bodies have urged the UK to cede control back to Mauritius under circumstances deemed as colonial overreach. The Mauritian government maintains that it was forcibly compelled to relinquish the islands for its independence in 1968, thus contesting the legitimacy of the UK's claims.