Mauritius details Chagos Archipelago legal costs and diplomatic efforts
via Le Mauricien1 min read
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam provided an update to Parliament on April 21 regarding communications between the Mauritian and British governments concerning the Chagos Archipelago agreement. He stated that the London-based firm Withers LLP has been retained by the government since November 2024. International lawyers, including Haeri Hussein KC, Floriane Lavaud, Camilla Gambarini, Jovana Crncevic, Maanya Tandon, and Sudipta Purkayastha, have been appointed to handle the case. Fees paid to these foreign advisors total GBP 408,028.40 to date, with an additional Rs 631,285 spent on their airfare, without daily allowances. Locally, the Attorney General's office, including the Attorney General and Solicitor General, has provided legal support without additional remuneration. However, Rs 1,334,461 was spent on airfare for the local team, along with approved daily allowances. The Prime Minister affirmed Mauritius's incontestable sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, citing confirmation from the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on February 25, 2019, and the United Nations General Assembly. He noted that no timeline exists for implementing the agreement with the United Kingdom due to a lack of British ratification. A delegation from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is expected in Port Louis on April 22 for further discussions. Financially, over GBP 408,000, or nearly Rs 24 million, has been disbursed to Withers LLP.
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The London-based collective Kokoroko is set to perform in Mauritius on Saturday, following a regional tour that included Southern Africa and Reunion. Formed in London in 2014 by trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey and percussionist Onome Edgeworth, Kokoroko has become a prominent figure in the contemporary Afro-jazz scene. The group aims to reconnect African diasporas with their musical roots, blending jazz, Afrobeat, and highlife into a warm and modern sound. The British Council is supporting the Institut français de Maurice in bringing Kokoroko to Mauritius on June 6. This initiative strengthens multilateral cultural cooperation between the UK, France, and Mauritius, promoting dialogue and mutual understanding. Naweid Fakeermahamood, Programme Manager for Cultural Engagement at the British Council, stated that Kokoroko's music reflects the openness and creativity they wish to promote. The project is also supported by Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels and Phoenix Bev, who aim to contribute to Mauritius's cultural development and enhance its appeal as a cultural destination. This collaboration between public institutions, international cultural actors, and private partners represents a new approach to artistic events, fostering an ecosystem of collaborations. The June 6 concert is the culmination of a regional tour and a starting point for new dynamics, forging connections between artists, audiences, and cultural visions. Anaïs Robert, Cultural Project Manager, highlighted that this pro
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