The dispute between France and Mauritius over Tromelin Island has escalated, with Mauritius' Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful urging Paris to resolve the issue in a spirit of friendship. Ramful addressed the UN General Assembly, emphasizing that Tromelin is an integral part of Mauritius. He cited a treaty from 1814, under which Tromelin was ceded to Britain along with Mauritius. Mauritius formally asserted its claim in 1976, but France continues to administer the island and claims sovereignty.
Tromelin Island covers approximately 1 square kilometer, but its surrounding exclusive economic zone exceeds 280,000 square kilometers, containing valuable fishing grounds. France has administered the island since 1954, when it established a meteorological station. In 2010, France and Mauritius signed an agreement to jointly manage fishing, environmental protection, and research around Tromelin without determining ownership. However, France's Senate approved the deal in 2012, but the government withdrew it from a scheduled National Assembly debate in 2017 amid opposition.
The dispute is not France's only territorial issue with a former African colony. Madagascar claims four French-administered islands in the Mozambique Channel, while the Comoros claims Mayotte, which France governs as an overseas department. Additionally, Mauritius has a territorial dispute with Britain over the Chagos Archipelago, which was separated from Mauritius in 1965. London and Mauritius signed a treaty in May 2025 to transfer sovereignty over Chagos to Mauritius, but the deal is pending and has faced opposition from the US.
Ramful called Mauritian sovereignty over Chagos "non-negotiable" and pointed to the treaty signed with Britain as a path toward settling the dispute. The treaty follows a 2019 International Court of Justice opinion that Britain's separation of the islands from Mauritius before independence was unlawful. However, US President Donald Trump has called the deal a "terrible deal" and opposed the transfer of the strategically important islands.
Britain has put the agreement on hold, with Defense Secretary Wes Streeting stating that it "can't go ahead without American support." The development has added pressure on France to address its own territorial dispute with Mauritius. Ramful's address to the UN General Assembly has brought international attention to the issue, and it remains to be seen how Paris will respond to the growing pressure.
The dispute over Tromelin Island has significant implications for the region, particularly given the island's valuable fishing grounds and strategic location. A resolution to the dispute could help to ease tensions between France and Mauritius, but it will require a willingness from both parties to engage in meaningful dialogue. The international community will be watching closely as the situation develops.
As the dispute continues, France's administration of Tromelin Island remains a point of contention. The 2010 agreement, although unratified, demonstrates a willingness from both parties to cooperate on practical issues. However, a lasting resolution will require a more comprehensive approach, addressing the historical and territorial aspects of the dispute. The involvement of international organizations, such as the UN, may be crucial in facilitating a resolution.
Key points
- France claims sovereignty over Tromelin Island and refuses to ratify a 2010 agreement to jointly manage the territory with Mauritius.
- The dispute has significant implications for the region, particularly given the island's valuable fishing grounds and strategic location.
- The issue is part of a broader set of territorial disputes between France and its former African colonies.
