On Saturday, September 26, 2026, Mauritius told the United Nations that it will not give up its claim to the Chagos Archipelago, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. Foreign Minister Ritish Ramful emphasized that Mauritius considers its sovereignty over the islands to be "non-negotiable," meaning it is not open to discussion or compromise. The Chagos Archipelago has been a point of contention for decades, with the United Kingdom having previously controlled the territory before handing it over to Mauritius in 2002, though some islands remain under dispute.
In addition to the Chagos issue, Ramful brought up another territorial dispute involving the island of Tromelin. Currently, France administers Tromelin, but Mauritius claims the island as its own. The minister urged France to restart talks aimed at resolving the dispute, which has been on hold for several years. This delay follows France's decision to abandon a proposed co-management agreement, which would have allowed both nations to share control of the island.
The dispute over Tromelin is not new, but recent diplomatic efforts have failed to bring the two countries to a resolution. Mauritius has long maintained that Tromelin is part of its territory, based on historical claims and legal arguments. France, however, continues to administer the island, citing its own historical ties and legal interpretations.
The ongoing disputes highlight the complex nature of territorial claims in the Indian Ocean region. Both the Chagos Archipelago and Tromelin are small islands with significant geopolitical importance, and their status remains a sensitive topic for the involved nations. As Mauritius continues to push for a resolution, the international community watches closely to see how these long-standing issues might be addressed in the coming years.
Mauritius Reaffirms Sovereignty Over Chagos Archipelago and Calls for Talks on Tromelin Island
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Original sources:
- 🇫🇷RFI



