The Mauritian prime minister has called for an independent review of the Chagos Islands agreement with the UK, according to the parliamentary record.
“I would like to inform the House that I have called for an independent review of the draft confidential agreements that have been agreed,” new Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said in parliament on Friday, according to the Hansard Record of the Mauritius Parliament.
A deal to transfer sovereignty over the Mauritian Islands to the Mauritian government was announced earlier this year, and officials said it would secure British and American military bases on Diego Garcia.
Under the terms of the agreement, the British and American military presence on the island will continue for 99 years with renewal options, with Britain making regular annual payments.
The Mauritian prime minister, who had been critical of the deal even before taking office, reportedly expressed continued concerns after a meeting with British national security adviser Jonathan Powell on Monday.
Ramgoolam, who has previously served as Mauritius' prime minister twice, was elected earlier this month and told parliament that “the new government does not know what the negotiations between Mauritius and the UK have been over the past two years.”
Earlier this week, Keir Starmer defended the deal as a “good deal”. He said at a press conference on Thursday: It would secure a base of vital interest to the US and UK. And we are already in discussions with the new government in Mauritius about how to move that forward. ”
Criticism has also been voiced from the incoming Trump administration in the United States. Marco Rubio, the president-elect's pick for secretary of state, warned in October that the deal posed a “serious threat” to U.S. national security by handing over the islands to countries allied with China.
Officials are believed to be confident the deal is in the interests of both parties, with Mr Starmer's official spokesperson saying earlier this week: “We have always said we look forward to engaging with the new Mauritian government.'' And that's exactly what we're doing.” This is to proceed with the transaction. ”
