Mauritius has hit out at the delay on Labour’s Chagos “surrender” and the “unauthorised” return of the Chagossians to their home.
A top committee comprising the country’s PM, Attorney General and senior ministers convened on Tuesday to discuss the islands – and the war in Iran.
It “noted with concern” the delay in ratifying the handover – which was signed last May.
“Despite the common will of the parties to bring the agreement into force expeditiously, it has not yet entered into force,” a statement fumed.
“There is no visibility as to when this would occur.”
The committee also claimed the presence of Chagossians on the islands was contrary to both the UK and Mauritian Governments’ goal of an “orderly resettlement” of the islands.
Then, the island nation turned its attention to Iran, calling for an immediate ceasefire and “peaceful means” of resolution.
Mauritius said US strikes from Diego-Garcia, the joint UK-US military base, against Iran had “no legal underpinning” in international law.
The country’s PM Navin Ramgoolam (right) convened a meeting of ministers to rage at the delay
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PICTURED: US B-1 bombers on Diego Garcia. Mauritius has claimed US strikes from the joint UK-US military base against Iran had ‘no legal underpinning’
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GETTYShadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel has since said the deal must not be followed through.
“Mauritius is a friend of China and if Labour’s Chagos Surrender goes ahead, their actions could undermine our security, defence and national interest,” Dame Priti said.
“This is also damaging the UK – US special relationship. Starmer’s surrender treaty must be scrapped.”
More so than China, Mauritius is under heavy influence from India.
India embeds its own personnel inside the Mauritian coastguard, intelligence service, and air force.
CHAGOS CHAOS – READ MORE:
Dame Priti Patel has said the deal must not be followed through
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PAIndia also has a base in Mauritius – while the country’s relations with New Delhi have in the past been described as “willing subjugation”.
Since 1974, India has been the primary security guarantor for Mauritius – and the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Mauritius is an Indian national.
Also furious at Labour delays was Donald Trump, who publicly raged at the PM after Britain initially blocked the base’s usage for strikes against Iran.
The President told the Telegraph Sir Keir’s U-turn meant it “took far too much time” for American planes to work out where they would land before launching strikes on the Islamic Republic.
He went on to criticise the PM’s decision-making again, saying: “this is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with”.
Mauritius has hit out at a delay on Sir Keir Starmer’s Chagos ‘surrender’ deal
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A party of Chagossians led by Misley Mandarin currently remains on Peros Banhos, one of the Chagos archipelago
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GB NEWSLabour MP Toby Perkins hit back at the dig from Mr Trump, jabbing: “Well, it’s not Franklin Roosevelt that we’re dealing with either.”
Despite allowing the US to deploy fighter planes from Diego Garcia, the Prime Minister has maintained that Britain has not participated in offensive action against Iran.
This is being done to stay in line with “international law”, Sir Keir said.
A party of Chagossians led by Misley Mandarin currently remains on Peros Banhos, one of the archipelago, under an injunction blocking their removal.
Mr Mandarin has been joined by his father Michel, 74, who was born there and removed at age 14.
James Tunbridge, the solicitor for the Chagossians, said expelling the Chagossians from the islands for a second time would constitute “a crime against humanity”.