Chagos sovereignty: former diplomat Vijay Makhan on the implementation of international law

Former diplomat Vijay Makhan stated in a question-and-answer correspondence to Le Mauricien that the United Kingdom has recognized Mauritius's sovereign right over the Chagos Archipelago and must now implement it. He emphasized that the issue is no longer about sovereignty but about the credibility of international law. Legally, the situation has not changed, but politically it has evolved. The International Court of Justice established that Mauritius's decolonization was not legally completed, a position endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly and recognized by the United Kingdom in an agreement signed on May 22, 2025, with Mauritius. Therefore, sovereignty is no longer debated; the focus is now on its implementation. Makhan noted that if reports of the UK pausing the Diego Garcia bill are true, it would signify a concerning political retreat rather than a procedural delay. He argued that suspending the legislative framework for implementation would create a profound disconnect between international commitment and internal action, raising questions about fundamental coherence. He stressed that renegotiating the agreement is not an option, as Mauritius achieved this recognition through a lengthy legal and diplomatic process. Makhan also acknowledged that actions by certain Chagossian groups complicate the situation, emphasizing that their legitimate cause should not be instrumentalized for political ends. He expressed concern that geopolitical repositioning could occu