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Uncertainty over Chagos Island deal

Publish date: 03 February 2025
Issue Number: 1111
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: General

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged Mauritius to ensure the deal for the Chagos Islands keeps them free from ‘malign influence’, amid concern in Mauritius and the US about the terms of the deal. Starmer spoke to his counterpart, Navin Ramgoolam, for the first time on Friday to discuss the agreement to hand over control of the islands, which was signed last year but has attracted criticism from people close to the new US President, Donald Trump, notes a Guardian report. Starmer told Ramgoolam he wanted ‘strong protections’ for the UK-US military base on the island chain. The deal would see the UK cede its final African colony while keeping control of the military base on the island of Diego Garcia for at least 99 years. British officials say it was signed with the support of the US Government but allies of Trump have since criticised it, warning that Mauritius’ alliance with China posed a risk to US national security. Starmer agreed to the deal to hand over the islands last year with Ramgoolam’s predecessor Pravind Jugnauth and with the backing of the Biden administration. This followed a legal opinion from the International Court of Justice in 2019 that the UK should end its control of the territory. However, changes of government in the US and Mauritius have since put the deal at risk. Ramgoolam has ordered a review of the terms, arguing they do not represent value for the Mauritian people. Having promised to pay £90m a year for ongoing control of Diego Garcia, British ministers are now offering to front-load those payments. Even if the two sides do reach agreement, there is a possibility the deal could be opposed by Trump.

Full report in The Guardian

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