In Port Louis on January 18, Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam raised concerns about the lease duration of a U.S.-British military base, a key issue in the UK's plan to transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
In October, Britain agreed to hand over the Chagos Islands while maintaining control of the base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Indian Ocean archipelago, through a 99-year lease that is pending ratification.
Following his election victory in November, Ramgoolam criticized the agreement made by the previous government, referring to it as a "sell out." He emphasized the need for the lease terms to be adjusted for inflation and exchange rates to safeguard Mauritius' ownership rights, potentially impacting the UK's ability to unilaterally renew the lease.
Stressing the importance of sovereignty, Ramgoolam highlighted concerns about the timing of the agreement, suggesting that the U.S. government was eager to finalize it before Donald Trump's presidential inauguration on January 20.
Referring to the backlash within the U.S., Ramgoolam emphasized the need for a thorough review of the agreement to ensure the country's long-term interests are prioritized over short-term gains.
Concerns have also been raised by some Chagossians who were not part of the negotiations and have indicated their intention to protest against the agreement.