The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam, and his British counterpart, Andy Burnham, have committed to developing a common plan on the Chagos Islands issue by the end of the year, with a first deadline set for December 2026. This commitment was made during the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1-4. The two leaders met bilaterally on the sidelines of the Leaders' Retreat, a closed-door session of the summit.
According to a communiqué released by the Prime Minister's Office, Andy Burnham reaffirmed his commitment to working with Mauritius and the United States to ensure the continuity of military base operations on Diego Garcia while preserving the security interests of the three countries. Navin Ramgoolam emphasized the urgency of the issue for the Mauritian people. The Chagos Islands have been a point of contention between Mauritius and the UK for decades.
The Chagos Islands issue was also discussed during a debate among Commonwealth leaders, with Mauritius opposing the Maldives' bid to host the next CHOGM due to the Maldives' claims on the Chagos Islands. Navin Ramgoolam argued that a country contesting Mauritian sovereignty could not host a Commonwealth summit. This opposition reflects the complex geopolitics surrounding the Chagos Islands.
In addition to the Chagos Islands issue, Navin Ramgoolam secured support from Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley to include the slave trade in the Indian Ocean and the indentured labor system in Commonwealth discussions on reparative justice. These discussions have previously focused on the transatlantic slave trade. This expansion of the agenda acknowledges the historical injustices faced by various countries.
Following the CHOGM, Navin Ramgoolam will travel to London to meet with British legal advisors on the Chagos Islands, including Professor Carol Harlow, to discuss constitutional reforms. He will also engage with experts from the Imperial College London on water security. These meetings reflect Mauritius' efforts to address its concerns through diplomatic channels.
Navin Ramgoolam's next engagement will be at the Paris Peace Forum on November 10-11. This forum provides a platform for leaders to discuss global peace and security challenges. The Prime Minister's attendance underscores Mauritius' commitment to international cooperation and peace.
The agreement between Navin Ramgoolam and Andy Burnham marks a significant step towards resolving the Chagos Islands issue. The two leaders aim to finalize a joint plan by December, which could potentially pave the way for further progress on this longstanding dispute.
Key points
- Mauritius and the UK have agreed to develop a joint plan on the Chagos Islands by December 2026.
- The plan aims to address the sovereignty dispute over the Chagos Islands while ensuring the continuity of military base operations on Diego Garcia.
- The issue was discussed during the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda.
