On 3 October 2024, a Joint Statement between the Governments of the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia was issued confirming a political agreement on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago was reached between the Parties. The “political agreement is subject to the finalisation of a treaty and supporting legal instruments, which both sides have committed to complete as quickly as possible”, but the treaty shall include:
- UK agreement that Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia;
- Commitment to ensure the long-term, secure and effective operation of the UK/USA military base on Diego Garcia, including agreement “for an initial period of 99 years, the United Kingdom will be authorised to exercise with respect to Diego Garcia the sovereign rights and authorities of Mauritius required to ensure the continued operation of the base well into the next century”;
- Mauritius is free to implement a programme of resettlement on the islands of the Chagos Archipelago (other than Diego Garcia);
- UK will capitalise a new trust fund and provide other separate support for the benefit of Chagossians;
The Joint Statement signals further economic, security and environmental partnership between the UK and Mauritius, including on “environmental protection, maritime security, combating illegal fishing, irregular migration and drug and people trafficking within the Chagos Archipelago”. Concrete examples listed include:
- Indexed annual payments by the UK for the duration of the agreement;
- Establishment of an infrastructure partnership underpinned by UK grant funding;
- The establishment of a Mauritian Marine Protected Area.
For further information see the respective UK (2) and Mauritius press releases. The Joint Statement notes the support and assistance provided by the USA & India, who both welcomed the political agreement.
De Maribus 