Mauritius Tells UN: Chagos Sovereignty Is Non-Negotiable

Mauritius has delivered a firm message to the United Nations: its sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago is not up for debate. Speaking at the UN, Mauritian representative Ramful made clear that while diplomatic negotiations over the future of the Chagos Islands continue, the question of who owns the archipelago is settled as far as Port Louis is concerned. "La souveraineté de Maurice sur les Chagos est non négociable," Ramful stated — meaning, in English: "Mauritius's sovereignty over the Chagos is non-negotiable." **Background: The Chagos Dispute** The Chagos Archipelago, located in the central Indian Ocean, was separated from Mauritius by the United Kingdom in 1965 — three years before Mauritian independence — to create the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The largest island, Diego Garcia, has since hosted a major joint US-UK military base. In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion stating that the UK's continued administration of the Chagos Islands was unlawful and that the decolonisation of Mauritius had not been lawfully completed. The UN General Assembly subsequently called on the UK to end its administration of the territory. Despite years of negotiations, a final agreement on transferring sovereignty has not been concluded. The Chagos deal — which would see the UK acknowledge Mauritian sovereignty while retaining access to Diego Garcia for military purposes — has faced political headwinds in both London and Washington. **Where Negotiations Stand** The Mauritian government, led by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, has continued to push for a resolution that respects its internationally recognised claim to the islands. Ramgoolam is expected to meet UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell to discuss the deal's progress. Ramful's statement at the UN signals that Mauritius will not accept any framework that dilutes or conditions its sovereignty claim — even as practical arrangements around the Diego Garcia base remain part of ongoing talks. **What This Means** For Mauritius, the Chagos issue is more than a territorial dispute — it is a matter of national identity, decolonisation, and the right of the Chagossian people, forcibly displaced in the late 1960s and early 1970s, to return to their homeland. The archipelago also represents a significant maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Indian Ocean, with strategic and economic implications. By reiterating its position at the United Nations, Mauritius is keeping international pressure on the UK while signalling to domestic audiences that no concessions on the fundamental question of sovereignty will be made at the negotiating table. Source: Le Defi Media