Former Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has spoken out about the Chagos deal, expressing his disappointment with the current government's handling of the situation. He claimed that an agreement had already been reached under his government with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's administration, and all that remained was to sign the treaty. Jugnauth made these comments while speaking to the press after being questioned at the Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID) as part of an investigation into the acquisition of telephone tapping equipment during his tenure.
Jugnauth criticized the current government for not signing the treaty that had already been negotiated, stating that "much better deal pe apandan azordi" or a much better deal could have been secured. He also expressed his frustration that Mauritius' sovereignty has yet to be recognized and that the country has not received any payment. The former PM emphasized that the current government's inaction has hindered progress on the issue.
The leader of the Mauritian Socialist Movement (MSM) also took aim at the current Prime Minister, describing their actions as "ridiculous." He specifically mentioned the Prime Minister's absence from the United Nations General Assembly and their meeting with Jonathan Powell, a UK National Security Adviser, in London. Jugnauth described Powell as merely an "advisor" and accused the Prime Minister of displaying "incompetence at the highest level."
The controversy surrounding the Chagos deal has garnered international attention, with US President Donald Trump expressing his disapproval of the agreement. Trump described the deal as "terrible" and stated that he does not support it. In response, the UK has indicated its willingness to renegotiate the agreement, which was reached last year to return the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius.
The Chagos archipelago, which hosts a strategic US-UK military base, has been a point of contention between Mauritius and the UK for several years. The Mauritian government has long claimed sovereignty over the islands, and the issue has been the subject of ongoing negotiations. The current Prime Minister, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, recently traveled to London to discuss the matter with UK officials, including Jonathan Powell.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister's office, Ramgoolam's trip aimed to pursue high-level discussions on the Chagos dossier, focusing on the latest developments related to the implementation of the agreement between Mauritius and the UK. The Prime Minister's meeting with Powell was seen as an opportunity to advance the negotiations and address concerns surrounding the deal.
The developments in the Chagos dispute have sparked mixed reactions, with some expressing support for Jugnauth's stance and others backing the current government's approach. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the issue will be resolved and what implications it may have for Mauritius, the UK, and the US.
Key points
- Pravind Jugnauth criticizes the current government for not signing the Chagos treaty.
- The former PM claims that a "much better deal" could have been secured.
- US President Donald Trump has expressed his disapproval of the Chagos deal.
