Mauritius’s Deputy Prime Minister, Paul Bérenger, has suggested that negotiations with the UK over the Chagos Islands are being delayed due to disagreements over the financial aspects of the deal.
Under the agreement initially announced in October, the UK would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius but retain a 99-year lease for Diego Garcia, which hosts a critical UK-US military airbase. As part of the arrangement, the UK pledged financial support to Mauritius, including annual payments and infrastructure investments, though neither side has disclosed the exact figures.
Since the agreement, a new government in Mauritius, elected last month, has called for changes to the deal. While the specifics of its objections remain unclear, Bérenger, addressing constituents on Sunday, cited concerns over the financial terms. “This base exists on our land, our territory… but it’s about more than sovereignty. If you’re a true patriot, there are things you simply can’t accept. They are quibbling over a small amount,” he remarked.
Speaking in parliament, Bérenger acknowledged Mauritius’s economic challenges but emphasized the need for a fair deal, saying, “We need money to recover from the economic mess left by the previous government, but not at any price or under any conditions.”
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam revealed that the UK is eager to finalize the treaty before Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President on January 20, given that Trump’s Secretary of State nominee, Marco Rubio, has labeled the agreement a threat to US security.
In the UK, the proposed deal has drawn criticism, particularly from the opposition Conservative Party. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel accused the Labour government of endangering national security, neglecting Chagossian interests, and undermining the UK’s global standing. Patel questioned the financial burden on British taxpayers, asking, “How much will this cost annually and over the 99-year lease?”
Defending the agreement, Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty argued it would bolster UK security by ensuring the continued operation of the Diego Garcia base on a stable foundation.
The Chagos dispute has long been a point of contention, with Mauritius asserting that the UK illegally retained the islands when granting Mauritius independence in 1968. International pressure on the UK has grown, with United Nations bodies, including the International Court of Justice, ruling in favor of Mauritius and calling for the return of the archipelago, which many see as the UK’s last colonial hold in Africa.
In a joint statement on Friday, the UK and Mauritius reaffirmed their commitment to finalizing the treaty, ensuring both the secure operation of Diego Garcia and recognition of Mauritian sovereignty over the islands. They described ongoing discussions as productive.
