The Mauritian Prime Minister calls the agreement a “big victory”Posted at 4:40 PM British Summer TimeBreakup
Yasine Mohabuth
Port Louis, Maurice
The Prime Minister of Maurice Dr Navin Ramgolam welcomed the agreement on the Chagos archipelago as a “great victory for the Mauritian nation”, saying that 60 years after independence, “the United Kingdom must now return our full sovereignty”.
Speaking with visible emotion, Ramgoalam has reaffirmed its longtime position.
“I have always said that we must get our sovereignty over all of the Chagos, including Diego Garcia.”
He described this evolution as the last stage of the end of the decolonization of Mauritius, which began with independence in 1968.
“What we want is absolute sovereignty without compromise or ambiguity,” said Ramgolam. “The Chagossians must be able to relive on their islands.”
Negotiations between Mauritius and the United Kingdom have also included discussions on financial repairs (see our previous article).
Mauritius will receive 165 million pounds sterling thanks to a front loading agreement, which represents more than 10 billion Mauritian rupees per year for the next 28 years.
In addition, a 40 million pound sterling fiduciary fund was agreed, but Ramgolam argued that it had to go further.
“It is for a period of 99 years, but contrary to what has been agreed by the former government, the extension of 40 years must be agreed by both parties.”
Ramgoam spoke of a strategic partnership framework with the United Kingdom, based on “mutual respect” and shared development objectives.
He noted that India and the United States had reported support for the evolution agreement, which could reshape the strategic landscape of the Indian Ocean region.
Image source, Getty images