On September 26, 2026, Paul Bérenger, leader of the Front Militan Progresis (FMP), held a press conference to address the ongoing Chagos dispute between Mauritius and the United Kingdom. Bérenger proposed a new approach, inspired by the recent developments in the Greenland situation, to break the deadlock in negotiations. He emphasized that Mauritius should not wait for the UK and US to find a solution but instead take the initiative to resolve the issue.
Bérenger's proposal involves high-level talks between Mauritius, the UK, and the US, followed by the creation of a tripartite working group to find a solution that preserves Mauritian sovereignty. He cited the example of the Greenland model, where the US, Denmark, and Greenland engaged in discussions to address US concerns while respecting Greenland's sovereignty. Bérenger stressed that the 2025 agreement between Mauritius and the UK, which recognizes Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos, should be the basis for further negotiations.
The FMP leader criticized the current government's handling of the dossier, stating that Mauritius has "lost too much time" and has been treated like a country under tutelage by the UK. He expressed concern that discussions between the UK and US on the future of Diego Garcia took place without direct Mauritian participation, despite the archipelago being part of Mauritian territory. Bérenger also mentioned that Donald Trump's stance is a significant obstacle to resolving the issue.
Bérenger highlighted the importance of the 2025 agreement, which acknowledges Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos. He emphasized that the problem is no longer about obtaining recognition but about translating it into concrete actions. The FMP leader also referenced the 1966 defense agreement, which prolongs British sovereignty over the Chagos until 2036, and suggested that it should be reinterpreted in light of the 2025 Mauritius-UK agreement.
The Greenland model, according to Bérenger, demonstrates that even in situations with tensions over sovereignty, direct negotiations can lead to a breakthrough. He mentioned the January meeting in Washington between US Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Danish and Greenlandic representatives, which resulted in the creation of a working group to examine defense issues. Bérenger also noted the 1951 US-Denmark defense agreement, which provides the US with significant military possibilities in Greenland.
Bérenger proposed a similar architecture for the Chagos dispute, involving a ministerial meeting between Mauritius, the UK, and the US, followed by a high-level working group. The objective would be to address US concerns regarding Diego Garcia while preserving Mauritian sovereignty. He expressed confidence in Mauritius' ability to engage in such negotiations, citing the experience of diplomat Vijay Makhan and a solid team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Finally, Bérenger praised the UK's stance on the Chagos, which refuses to question Mauritian sovereignty in the face of Maldivian claims. He urged the government to take the initiative and adopt the Greenland model to resolve the dispute. Bérenger emphasized that the sovereignty issue is already settled on paper and that it is now time to translate it into reality.
Key points
- Paul Bérenger proposes adopting the Greenland model to resolve the Chagos dispute.
- The FMP leader criticizes the current government's handling of the dossier.
- Bérenger emphasizes the importance of preserving Mauritian sovereignty in negotiations.
