PORT LOUIS – Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced on Friday that he has requested an independent review of a confidential draft agreement with the United Kingdom regarding the future of the Chagos Islands.
The agreement, reached in October, proposes transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while granting Britain a 99-year lease for the U.S.-British military base on Diego Garcia. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed confidence on Thursday in the ratification of the deal.
However, Ramgoolam, who recently returned to power following an election victory, voiced concerns over the agreement. He assured parliament that his new cabinet would assess the review’s findings before making a final decision.
The deal, pivotal for strategic military interests in the Indian Ocean, requires approval from both governments. The UK government has not yet commented on Ramgoolam’s request for a review.