The US will attend conversations about the future of Chagos Islands, which is the subject of a controversial deal between Mauritius and the United Kingdom, the Moorish Prime Minister said.
Last October, the United Kingdom announced that it would convey sovereignty to the islands, officially known as the British territory of the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius, but would support a 99-year leasing over military air base in the UK and the United States on the largest island, Diego Garcia.
The deal was achieved with former Moorish leader Right -up Junout, but Naine Ramguolam, his deputy, was very critical.
Progress also slowed down to allow employees to incoming President Donald Trump's team to look at the details of the deal.
The agreement reached in October – which was green by the Biden administration – includes the leasing payments to the United Kingdom of Mauritius for the military air base in the UK and the United States.
However, shortly after the transaction was concluded, Mauritius chose a new Prime Minister Naine Ramguolam, who wanted to reopen the negotiations.
In an Instagram statement on ThursdayPrime Minister Ramguolam's service said it has accepted “the presence of a representative of the new administration in the United States of America in the negotiations so that it further enhances the process.”
Ramguolam also said that it shows that it is open and wants to find a common basis, “adding that he is confident that there will be a” positive resolution “.
He was quoted in the UK Telegraph newspaper, which says the White House has asked for someone to talk.
Earlier this month, Ramgolam told Moorish MPs that the previous deal was poorly agreed by the man he replaced, describing him as a “sale”.
He said the payments that the United Kingdom has agreed to make Mauritius are not proof of inflation and should include a greater amount in front.
He also objected to a clause in which the United Kingdom could unilaterally extend Diego Garcia's lease for another 40 years.
It is unclear what the US position is on the deal accurately, but last year, before it is in service, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it represents a “serious threat”, claiming to be giving the islands of a country brought in accordance with China. Mauritius has a trade agreement with China.
The United Kingdom took control of the Chagos Islands, from its then colony, Mauritius, in 1965 and continued to expel its population of more than 1,000 people to make a way on the basis of Diego Garcia.
Mauritius, who won independence from the United Kingdom in 1968, maintains that the islands are its own, and the highest UN court ruled, in an advisory opinion that the administration of the UK is “illegal”.
Chagos Islanders – some in Mauritius and the Seychelles, but others living in the UK – do not speak with one voice in the fate of their homeland.
Some criticize the deal, saying that they were not consulted in the negotiations.