UK aims to ratify Chagos Archipelago treaty with Mauritius in coming weeks
via Le Mauricien1 min read
The British government intends to accelerate the ratification of the treaty concerning the Chagos Archipelago. Attorney General Lord Hermer stated before the Justice Committee of the British Parliament that London remains committed to finalizing the agreement with Mauritius in the coming weeks, despite political controversy and reservations from some Chagossians. The UK government seeks to quickly ratify the treaty with Mauritius on the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, which includes the strategic island of Diego Garcia. Lord Hermer confirmed that the executive is fully committed to adopting this agreement "in the coming weeks and months." The treaty outlines the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos to Mauritius, a historical claim supported by international bodies such as the United Nations and the International Court of Justice. Concurrently, the agreement would ensure the continued operation of the Diego Garcia military base under a long-term lease, allowing the UK and the United States to maintain this strategic site. However, the agreement faces opposition in the United Kingdom, with some opposition members, primarily conservatives, criticizing it as an excessive concession on a strategic territory. Concerns also include the potential cost and long-term geopolitical implications. The fate of the Chagossians, forcibly displaced between the 1960s and 1970s for the military base's establishment, is another sensitive point. While some support the return of Mauritian s
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Chetan Baboolall, a Member of Parliament for Fron Militan Progresis, stated that the government is penalizing retirees and workers, causing deep disturbance among the people of Mauritius. He asserted that no previous budget has left the population so uncertain about their future. Baboolall criticized recent changes to pension measures, the freezing of the Means Test, and the uncertainty surrounding funding sources like the expected revenue from the Chagos deal, which he believes undermine the budget's credibility. He argued that cutting pensions, raising taxes, or borrowing more are easy paths, while confronting inefficiency, waste, and entrenched privilege is the hard path to sustainable progress. He described the budget as "fake" and not reflective of reality. Baboolall also denounced the rising cost of living, noting that families continue to suffer from increased prices for food, electricity, and healthcare. He was critical of a new tax bracket for high earners and questioned the additional 5% tax on insurance. He highlighted what he called government contradictions, particularly regarding issues that required backtracking or freezing of announced measures, and accused the administration of "squeezing those who rely on the Basic Retirement Pension for survival." Beyond criticism, Baboolall advocated for structural reforms focusing on local agriculture, food security, import reduction, water management, and energy transition. He concluded by stating that Mauritius must ref