Treaty on the Chagos: Important Discussions on Mauritius' Position This Week

This week is pivotal for the future of the Chagos Islands and Mauritius' sovereignty. The British House of Commons has already passed the "Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill," marking a step towards the official recognition of Mauritian sovereignty over the archipelago. Key decisions will be made in Port-Louis.

A crucial meeting this Thursday will bring together Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger, Attorney General Gavin Glover, and Foreign Minister Ritish Ramful to define Mauritius' stance on the implementation of the treaty signed last May with the United Kingdom. This treaty allows for the official transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos from London to Port-Louis, following years of legal and diplomatic battles.

Attorney General Gavin Glover emphasized the importance of these discussions, which he sees as "decisive steps" before the final phase of the treaty. "This requires political decisions on the direction to take. They will be made this week, as we need to go to London on November 17 for the penultimate round of negotiations," he noted. The final round of discussions will take place in Mauritius in mid-December, ahead of the treaty's implementation, scheduled for early 2026.

Thus, this week could mark a turning point in the restitution of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.