Mauritius reviews British deal over strategic US-UK military base in Indian Ocean
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Members of the Chagossian community protesting outside the British Parliament in October 2024, over the UK government's decision to cede sovereignty of the strategic Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
PHOTO: AFP
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PORT LOUIS - Mauritius’ new prime minister ordered an independent review of a deal with Britain involving a strategically important US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean, placing the agreement under fresh scrutiny.
Under a pact signed in October, the UK ceded sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius,
The deal was signed by former Mauritian prime minister Pravind Jugnauth and his UK counterpart, Mr Keir Starmer, on Oct 3 - a month before elections in Mauritius in which Navinchandra Ramgoolam became premier.
“I have asked for an independent review of the confidential draft agreement agreed so far,” Mr Ramgoolam said. “I will keep the house informed of the next steps in the negotiations.”
The UK has dismissed concerns the deal could collapse due to the desire of the new government in Mauritius to scrutinise the details.
But it is unclear whether president-elect Donald Trump will maintain Joe Biden’s support for the pact.
Mr Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, has warned it poses “a serious threat” to US national security, while the UK is not expected to ratify the deal until after Trump’s inauguration in January, giving his administration the opportunity to re-examine the agreement if it wants.
Mr Starmer described it as a “good deal” on Nov 28. His spokesman told reporters that it’s “entirely understandable for a new administration to engage on the detail of the agreement” and while there’s no discussion about renegotiating the deal, they are working with Mauritius to finalise the details of the legal treaty.
Since securing victory on Nov 12, Mr Ramgoolam has held talks with local officials, external legal advisers and new UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell about the status of the negotiations with the UK, he told lawmakers in the capital, Port Louis, on Nov 29.
New Mauritius prime minister Navin Ramgoolam (right) posing for a photo with former prime minister Paul Berenger after his swearing-in ceremony on Nov 13.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Details of talks that have taken place over the past two years are “unknown” to the new government, he said.
The meetings between Mr Powell and the new administration have been “productive” and letters exchanged between Mr Starmer and Mr Ramgoolam have indicated he is open to progressing the agreement, Mr Starmer’s spokesman said on Nov 28.
Mr Powell is planning to also travel to the US to discuss the agreement. BLOOMBERG
