Tensions within the Mauritian government have intensified following accusations that “excessive concessions” are being granted to the UK under Sir Keir Starmer’s Chagos Islands agreement. The dispute escalated last week when Paul Bérenger, the country’s deputy prime minister, threatened to withdraw his party from the coalition over worries surrounding the proposed arrangements. His primary objections reportedly focus on strict conservation belts planned around Diego Garcia—home to a joint UK–US military base since the 1970s—which he believes would curtail Mauritian citizens’ access. He has also raised concerns with prime minister Navin Ramgoolam about the surveillance of maritime routes surrounding the territory.
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The treaty, signed by Sir Keir in May, will see Britain relinquish sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory and pay Mauritius £30 billion over 99 years to lease back the Diego Garcia base. While Labour had intended to complete the handover by the end of the year, the process was delayed after the threat of defeat in the House of Lords, where the Government lacks a majority. Many members of the Chagossian community—who were displaced between 1968 and 1973 and resettled largely in Britain—have made clear that they do not wish the archipelago to be transferred to Mauritian control.
Concerns increased after Mauritius announced on 3 November the creation of one of the world’s largest marine protected areas, spanning more than 645,000 square kilometres. The new Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area divides the territory into four zones, including a strict conservation belt covering 23,712 square kilometres around Diego Garcia where commercial fishing is banned and civilian access would be sharply restricted. Reports suggest Mr Bérenger has accused a “gang of five” within the prime minister’s office of negotiating behind his back, though recent meetings between the two leaders have temporarily calmed the situation. Officials have admitted, however, that this truce is based more on political “necessity” than agreement.
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Vijay Makhan, a special adviser to the deputy prime minister, has denied that the governing coalition is close to collapse and rejected claims that Mauritius is making undue concessions to the UK. He accused British politicians of attempting to undermine the treaty through “fabricated narratives”. Meanwhile, the Mauritian attorney general, Gavin Glover, is due to meet officials in London to discuss the security and environmental aspects of the agreement, including maritime protection, the Chagossian Trust Fund, and even the telephone prefix to be assigned to Diego Garcia. He said the aim is to finalise these points by the end of November before drafting the full set of agreements for formal review.
