Mauritian Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth on Tuesday maintained in Parliament that the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, forms and has always formed an integral part of the territory of Mauritius.
Replying to a Private Notice Question from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Paul Berenger, Sir Jugnauth said Mauritius does not recognise the so-called “British Indian Ocean Territory” which the United Kingdom purported to create by illegally excising the Chagos Archipelago from the territory of Mauritius prior to its accession to independence, in violation of international law and United Nations General Assembly Resolutions 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, 2066 (XX) of 16 December 1965, 2232 (XXI) of 20 December 1966 and 2357 (XXII) of 19 December 1967.
“My Government is strongly committed to ensuring that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Mauritius are fully respected and safeguarded. In this regard, no efforts are being spared by my Government so that Mauritius can effectively exercise its sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago,” he warned.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the long-standing struggle of Mauritius to effectively exercise its sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago and the right of Mauritian citizens, including those of Chagossian origin, to return to and resettle in the Chagos Archipelago are indissociable.
Sir Jugnauth further stated that the Chagos Archipelago should be returned by the United Kingdom “to the effective control of Mauritius by a precise date to be agreed upon”.
He added that he has proposed that consideration could be given to the joint management of the Chagos Archipelago pending its return to Mauritius.
“I had asked for a response to my request by the end of June 2016, otherwise Mauritius would take appropriate action at the international level including at the United Nations. Further, at the request of the British High Commissioner I have agreed to extend the deadline by another week,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
Photo credit: Defi media
