UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is seeking to revise the agreement between London and Port-Louis on the sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago. He aims to address concerns raised by the United States, which has hindered the implementation of the initial agreement. Burnham's proposal involves drawing inspiration from the agreement between the US and Denmark regarding Greenland. This development has significant implications for the future of Diego Garcia, a strategic military base jointly used by the US and UK.
The initial agreement, negotiated under former UK Prime Minister sir Keir Starmer, provided for the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius. However, the opposition from US President Donald Trump has stalled its implementation. Burnham's comments suggest a willingness to engage in new discussions with US authorities to find a compromise on the future of Diego Garcia. He emphasized the need to address US concerns while ensuring the continuity of military operations at the base.
The proposed agreement with the US could involve allowing the US to expand its military presence in the region while ensuring that the base remains under UK control. This approach has been successful in the case of Greenland, where the US has increased its military presence without gaining sovereignty over the island. Burnham acknowledged that negotiations with the US are ongoing and that a solution has yet to be found.
The UK's Defense Secretary, Wes Streeting, confirmed the suspension of payments to Mauritius pending a compromise between London and Washington. He emphasized the need for an acceptable solution for all three governments involved. A meeting between Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Andy Burnham took place on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda.
During their meeting, Burnham reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing negotiations with Mauritius and the US to ensure the continuity of military operations at Diego Garcia. Ramgoolam stressed the urgency of making concrete progress and requested a clear roadmap with a deadline of December 2026. This deadline takes on added significance as London openly considers revising the terms of the initial agreement.
Meanwhile, two Chagossians, Louis Michel Mandarin and Louis Misley Mandarin, have taken their case to the UK High Court, seeking judicial review of the UK government's handling of the Chagos agreement. They argue that their community was not adequately consulted before decisions were made regarding their ancestral territory. The court will determine whether their case can proceed to a full judicial review.
The outcome of these developments will have significant implications for the future of the Chagos archipelago and its inhabitants. A decision on the judicial review is expected within a week. The UK government's approach to the Chagos issue has been shaped by the need to balance its relationships with the US and Mauritius while addressing the concerns of the Chagossian people.
Key points
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham considers a new Chagos agreement inspired by the US-Denmark Greenland deal.
