Mauritius Issues Fiery Vow to Reclaim Chagos Islands After Keir Starmer Delays Deal
Mauritius has launched a strong condemnation of the UK government following Keir Starmer’s delay of the Chagos Islands sovereignty transfer, vowing to pursue all available diplomatic and legal routes to reclaim the islands. This bold declaration came from Dhananjay Ramful, Mauritius’ Foreign Minister, at the Indian Ocean Conference in Port Louis, who stated that Mauritius would not rest until the decolonization of the Chagos Islands is completed.
“We will spare no effort to seize any diplomatic or legal avenue to complete the decolonisation process in this part of the Indian Ocean,” Ramful asserted, emphasizing that the matter was one of justice.
The announcement comes after significant opposition from the United States, particularly from former President Donald Trump, who described the proposed deal as “an act of great stupidity.” His sharp criticism has led to the UK government suspending the planned legislation, with discussions now stalled as the UK waits for Washington’s approval.
The Chagos Islands, including the key island of Diego Garcia, host a joint British and American military base. While the UK government insists that any agreement on the islands will require US backing, the delay has led to heightened tensions between the UK and Mauritius, with both sides facing pressure to find common ground.
Mauritius has expressed its determination to continue pushing for sovereignty over the islands, and upcoming talks scheduled for April 22 will determine the next steps in negotiations between Mauritius and the UK.
