The Mauritian government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to reclaiming full sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, following a significant setback in the international agreement to transfer control of the strategic Indian Ocean territory, According to a report by Xinhua on Sunday, April 12, 2026, Mauritian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dhananjay Ramful declared that the nation will “spare no effort” in utilizing diplomatic and legal avenues to complete its decolonization process.
Speaking at the ninth Indian Ocean Conference in Port Louis, Ramful described the struggle for sovereignty as a “matter of justice” grounded in international law for over 50 years. This renewed stance follows recent statements from the British government, which indicated it has shelved legislation intended to ratify the sovereignty transfer. This policy reversal comes after the United States withdrew its backing for the agreement, which was originally signed between Britain and Mauritius on May 22, 2025.
The Chagos Archipelago has been a point of geopolitical friction since its separation from Mauritius in 1965, while the country was still a British colony. Under a subsequent 1966 lease, Britain granted the United States military rights to Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, leading to the forced displacement of thousands of residents. While the 2025 deal formally ceded British control to Mauritius—under the condition that the military base be leased back to the UK and US—President Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced opposition to the transfer, citing concerns over long-term regional security.
Despite the current legislative impasse in London and the shift in Washington’s stance, Mauritius remains resolute. Foreign Minister Ramful’s remarks underscore a strategic defiance, signaling that Port Louis will continue to challenge the continued occupation of the archipelago in international forums. As the decolonization process faces new hurdles, the future of the Diego Garcia military facility remains at the center of a complex legal and diplomatic tug-of-war between the Mauritian government and the Western powers.
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