Mauritius says Chagos sovereignty is not debatable under international law, responding to Trump’s criticism of the UK handover deal.
PORT LOUIS: Mauritius has firmly responded to US President Donald Trump’s criticism of its sovereignty deal with Britain over the Chagos Islands.
Mauritian Attorney General Gavin Glover stated the archipelago’s sovereignty is already recognised under international law and is no longer up for debate.
“The sovereignty of the Republic of Mauritius over the Chagos archipelago is already recognised without ambiguity under international law and should no longer be a subject for debate,” Glover said.
The agreement will see Britain hand the strategic islands, located some 2,000 kilometres northeast of Mauritius, back to its former colony.
Britain will also pay to lease the existing US-UK military base on the islands for a century.
President Trump, who initially endorsed the deal when signed in May last year, reversed his position on social media.
He called the UK’s action “an act of GREAT STUPIDITY” and linked it to national security reasons for acquiring Greenland.
The Mauritian attorney general’s office said it had “taken note” of Trump’s comments.
It noted the remarks occur in a larger geopolitical context involving several international partners, notably on Greenland.
“This evolution comes after the treaty concluded between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius was described by the United States as an historic accord,” the statement added.
Britain has insisted the agreement will proceed despite the US president’s U-turn.
The deal is currently in the final stages of being scrutinised by the UK parliament.
“We take note with satisfaction of the first statements by the British government confirming that the accord conforms with international law and reaffirming its intention to ratify it,” Glover said.
