Washington considers bypassing London to acquire Diego Garcia from Port Louis
via Le Mauricien6 min read
Washington is reportedly considering bypassing London to directly negotiate with Port Louis for the purchase of Diego Garcia, according to the Daily Telegraph. This development comes as political and diplomatic discussions around the Chagos Deal, which had been dormant since January 20, are being revived. The Daily Telegraph, citing White House sources, indicates that "the White House is considering a plan to buy the Chagos Islands from Mauritius." This potential move is seen as an option for Washington to counter the Chagos Deal agreed upon between London and Port Louis in May 2025, which is awaiting Royal Assent. Reuters, citing American sources, notes that President Trump has consistently maintained that the United Kingdom should not cede the British Indian Ocean Territory, which includes the joint U.S.-UK military facility on the Diego Garcia atoll. American officials emphasize Diego Garcia's strategic importance in the Indian Ocean for U.S. national security, especially given current instability in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Olivier Bancoult, leader of the Chagos Refugees Group, concluded a tour in London to advocate for the Chagos Deal's provisions. During his five-day mission to the UK, Bancoult met with members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, where he presented a plea regarding the archipelago's future and the rights of its people. He denounced what he views as the political instrumentalization of their struggle, stating, "We have watched with profoun
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Must ReadThe Mauritian Council of Ministers has noted the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation's plan to consult stakeholders on implementing a mechanism for verifying the identity of social media users. This initiative aims to address recurring online problems such as the spread of false information, identity theft, defamatory or hateful content, online scams, and the dissemination of illegal content like child pornography. Currently, most social media accounts can be created with just an email address or phone number, without systematic civil identity verification. The proposed mechanism could require users to prove their real identity using official documents, national ID card verification, certified phone numbers, or other digital authentication methods, theoretically making it easier to identify perpetrators of illegal or fraudulent posts. Supporters believe this reform would reduce fake profiles, disinformation campaigns, online scams, and cyberbullying, providing authorities with quicker means to trace those responsible for illegal content. However, the proposal raises concerns about privacy, personal data protection, and freedom of expression. Digital rights organizations argue that online anonymity can protect whistleblowers, victims, journalists, or citizens who wish to report situations without fear of reprisal. The government emphasizes that this is currently a consultation phase to gather stakeholder opinions before any potential reforms. Mauri