The new British government is set to negotiate a settlement with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands and its former inhabitants
Opinion
For the UK a negotiated settlement to this continuing dispute and human tragedy is the only way to bring an end to this relic of Britian’s colonial past
By David Snoxell
My article in Mauritius Times on 5 July had a more tentative title. It was ‘Will the new British government give priority to concluding the Chagos negotiations?’ It is encouraging that after less than 3 weeks in office it has already stated that the Government’s priority is to resolve this long standing and important issue. It looks as if progress will now be made.
Keir Starmer. Pic SkyNews
A meeting between the two prime ministers, which included the Foreign Secretary David Lammy, took place in the Foreign Office on 23 July. Just 19 days after the Government took office. In answer to a written parliamentary question from Jeremy Corbyn MP asking the Foreign Secretary when he expected to conclude negotiations with Mauritius on sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago the Minister of State at the FCO, Stephen Doughty replied on 24 July:
“The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met the Mauritian Prime Minister on 23 July and committed to continuing negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago. It is too early to speculate on timelines or conclusions, but it is the Government’s priority to resolve this long standing and important issue, including ensuring the long-term secure and effective operation of the joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia and other key issues. As appropriate, we will continue to engage with all relevant parties including the Chagossian diaspora.”
Labour policy
On 10 July 2023 the then shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, committed Labour to a resolution of the issues in a speech at the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law. He said: Read More… Become a Subscriber
Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 2 August 2024
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