Negotiations between Mauritius and the UK over the future of the Chagos Islands have hit a snag due to disagreements over financial compensation. Mauritius's new government is seeking a more favorable financial package from the UK as part of the agreement which would see the UK relinquish sovereignty over the archipelago but retain a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, a key military base.
Mauritius's deputy prime minister has hinted that negotiations with the UK over the future of the Chagos Islands are being held up over the amount of money involved. Under the terms of the original agreement, which was announced in October, the UK would relinquish sovereignty to Mauritius over the archipelago but maintain a 99-year lease for Diego Garcia, home to a major UK-US military airbase.
As part of the deal, the UK said it would provide a package of financial support to Mauritius, including annual payments and infrastructure investment, but neither side has said how much is involved. However a new government in Mauritius, elected since the agreement was first made, has said it wants to see some changes. The proposed deal has also attracted criticism in the UK, with the opposition Conservative party calling it a 'monumental failure of statecraft'. When the agreement was first made public after years of talks, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the then Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth called it a 'seminal moment in our relationship and a demonstration of our enduring commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and the rule of law'.In a joint statement issued on Friday, the UK and Mauritius said they were committed 'to finalising a treaty as quickly as possible' that included both the 'secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia and that Mauritius is sovereign over the archipelago'.The new Mauritian government, elected in a landslide last month, has not been explicit in public about what exactly its problems with the deal were. But talking to his constituents on Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger spoke about the money involved. 'This base existed on our land, on our territory... but not only it is our sovereignty. There are some things you can't accept if you're a true patriot. They are trying to make us sign and they are quibbling on a small amount,' he sai
CHAGOS ISLANDS MAURITIUS UNITED KINGDOM DIPLOMACY FINANCE
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UK Insists Mauritius Ready for Chagos Islands Deal Despite New PM's DemandsThe UK government maintains Mauritius is prepared to finalize a deal regarding the Chagos Islands, even though the newly appointed Prime Minister seeks improved terms. The agreement, announced in October, involves the UK ceding sovereignty to Mauritius but retaining a 99-year lease on the UK-US military base at Diego Garcia.
Read more »
Mauritius' New PM Requests Independent Review of Chagos Islands Deal with UKNavin Ramgoolam, the newly elected prime minister of Mauritius, has requested an independent review of a deal with the UK concerning the Chagos Islands. The agreement aims to transfer sovereignty over the archipelago to Mauritius with a 99-year lease for the UK over Diego Garcia.
Read more »
Mauritian Prime Minister Expresses Reservations About Chagos Islands DealNavinchandra Ramgoolam, the new prime minister of Mauritius, has reservations about a deal with the UK over the Chagos Islands. He met with the UK's national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, to discuss the agreement which involves ceding sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius while leasing Diego Garcia for 99 years.
Read more »
UK Foreign Secretary Downplays Criticism Over Chagos Islands DealUK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has played down criticism from the new Mauritian prime minister and the incoming Trump administration regarding a deal to cede control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The agreement, yet to be signed, would see the UK relinquish sovereignty over the archipelago but retain a 99-year lease over Diego Garcia, home to a significant UK-US military airbase.
Read more »
Chagos Islands deal: New Mauritian PM sends fresh proposals to UKNavin Ramgoolam says the original agreement did not benefit his nation enough.
Read more »
Govt officials travel to Mauritius to bring back SA prisoner’s childThe child has been living with her South African mother at a Mauritius prison for the past five years since her birth.
Read more »