David Lammy defends controversial Chagos Islands sovereignty deal
- The newly elected Mauritian Prime Minister, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, has voiced reservations about the sovereignty agreement concerning the Chagos Islands.
- Labour's Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, defended the deal, citing national security benefits and support from the United States military.
- The future of the agreement remains uncertain amidst political debates and pressure from both the UK government and opposition parties.
The situation regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, a territory disputed by Mauritius and the United Kingdom, has grown more complex following the election of a new Mauritian prime minister, Navinchandra Ramgoolam. He expressed reservations about the agreement made by the prior administration to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius, which raised concerns about its future. This agreement was crucial as it tied the legal basis of the Diego Garcia military base to the UK’s national security interests, especially in light of an International Court of Justice ruling that deemed the UK's administration of the islands unlawful. Foreign Secretary David Lammy defended the pact, citing its importance for international security and the Pentagon's support. The pact keeps the US-UK military base operational for at least 99 years, a point that Lammy emphasized to reassure stakeholders about the agreement's benefits. However, the UK government faces pressure from opposition parties to provide clarity on potential costs to taxpayers and the overlooked views of the Chagossians regarding their homeland.