The government of Mauritius is seeking concrete advancements on the ratification of the agreement regarding the Chagos archipelago by December 2026. This was announced by Arianne Navarre-Marie, the Acting Prime Minister, during the Prime Minister's Question Time. The announcement comes as the UK has not yet ratified the agreement, which recognizes Mauritius' sovereignty over the entire Chagos archipelago, including Diego Garcia.
Arianne Navarre-Marie revealed that a new meeting with the British team is planned in the near future to discuss the matter. The meeting is expected to build on the discussions held between Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Jonathan Powell, the UK's National Security Adviser, in London on October 2, 2026. During their meeting, Ramgoolam emphasized that Mauritius' sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago is non-negotiable.
The Acting Prime Minister also recalled that Ramgoolam and his British counterpart agreed to work on a common plan to advance the dossier during a meeting at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Antigua and Barbuda. The two leaders set a deadline of December 2026 to make progress on the ratification of the agreement. If the deadline is not met, Mauritius may consider taking legal action to expedite the resolution of the issue.
Navarre-Marie confirmed that the discussions with the British team are making progress, but the ratification of the agreement is still pending. She emphasized that Mauritius remains open to dialogue and diplomacy but is prepared to take all necessary steps, including legal action, to resolve the issue. The UK's delay in ratifying the agreement has created an untenable status quo, according to Ramgoolam.
The Chagos archipelago has been a point of contention between Mauritius and the UK for several years. The agreement signed on May 22, 2025, aims to resolve the dispute by recognizing Mauritius' sovereignty over the archipelago. However, the UK's ratification of the agreement has been pending, leading to frustration from the Mauritian government.
The possibility of legal action has been raised as a potential next step for Mauritius. Navarre-Marie confirmed that this option remains on the table if the deadline of December 2026 is not met. The Mauritian government is keen to resolve the issue through diplomatic means but is prepared to take a more assertive approach if necessary.
The outcome of the upcoming meeting between Mauritius and the UK will be crucial in determining the future of the Chagos archipelago. The Mauritian government remains committed to finding a resolution to the issue and is working closely with the British team to achieve a mutually acceptable solution. The deadline of December 2026 will be a key test of the progress made in the negotiations.
Key points
- Mauritius sets a deadline of December 2026 for the UK to ratify the agreement recognizing its sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago.
