Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam will meet Jonathan Powell, the UK's National Security Adviser, in London later this month. The meeting is scheduled to take place during Ramgoolam's annual health check-up in the British capital. According to sources, the Chagos issue will be a key topic of discussion during the meeting. Ramgoolam had a telephone conversation with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham on September 22, where the two leaders discussed the Chagos issue and the implementation of an agreement between Mauritius and the UK.
The conversation between Ramgoolam and Burnham took place ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. A joint communiqué was expected to be released after the conversation, but no official statement had been made at the time of reporting. Ramgoolam's meeting with Powell is seen as a significant development in the ongoing discussions between Port-Louis and London on the Chagos issue.
Meanwhile, Mauritius Foreign Minister Ritish Ramful is attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Ramful is expected to raise several issues during his intervention, including the Chagos and Tromelin. He emphasized the need to be cautious not to "chambouler" the ongoing negotiations between the parties concerned.
Ramful also plans to discuss the blue economy, climate change, and the need for reform of the UN Security Council. He noted that the African continent, with a population of around 1.4 billion, does not have a permanent seat on the Security Council and stressed the importance of Africa having a full place at the Council.
The Chagos issue has been a long-standing dispute between Mauritius and the UK. The UK's continued administration of the islands has been a source of contention, with Mauritius claiming sovereignty over the territory. Ramgoolam's meeting with Powell is seen as a step towards resolving the issue.
Ramful's discussions with his UK counterpart, Ed Miliband, are also expected to focus on the Chagos issue, as well as other areas of cooperation between the two countries. The minister's intervention at the UN General Assembly will also highlight the challenges faced by small states like Mauritius.
The meeting between Ramgoolam and Powell is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to resolve the Chagos issue. The two leaders are expected to discuss the implementation of the agreement between Mauritius and the UK, as well as other issues of mutual interest.
Key points
- Navin Ramgoolam to meet Jonathan Powell in London to discuss Chagos issue
- Ritish Ramful to raise Chagos and Tromelin issues at UN General Assembly
- Mauritius and UK to discuss implementation of agreement on Chagos
