Mauritian officials along with the Mauritian ambassador to the UN, Jagdish Koonjul, sang the Mauritian National Anthem and raised Mauritius’ flag above the atoll of Peros Banhos. With this, Mauritius has formally challenged UK’s ownership over the Chagos archipelago. The Mauritian ambassador to UN said, “We are performing the symbolic act of raising the flag as the British have done so many times to establish colonies. We, however, are reclaiming what has always been our own.”
A metal plaque placed underneath the flagpole read: “Visit of the Mauritius delegation to Peros Banhos archipelago, Republic of Mauritius, in the context of the scientific survey of Blenheim Reef.”
It’s morning on #Chagos, where the flag of Mauritius flies, proof that the rule of law is not only a dream pic.twitter.com/IbO1BhfIfh
— Philippe Sands (@philippesands) February 14, 2022
A pre-recorded message by the Mauritian Prime Minister, Mr. Pravind Jugnauth, was also broadcasted on a speaker to the Chagossians, Mauritian officials and media officials who had assembled on the beach. The prime minister in his message said, “This is the first time Mauritius has led an expedition to this part of its territory. I feel sad that I have not been able to be part of this historic visit … I’m delighted that our Chagossian brothers and sisters are able to travel to their birthplace without any foreign [ie British] escort.”
He further said, “The message I wish to give out to the world, as the state with sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, is that we will ensure a wise stewardship of its territory – over its maritime security, conservation of the marine environment and human rights, notably the return of those of Chagossian origin.”
In a phone call interview with The Guardian, a British daily newspaper, Mauritian Prime Minister Mr Pravind Jugnauth said, “This is a very emotional moment for me and a very historic time for us because we are able to raise our flag on our own territory…The international community and international institutions have already decided that this is our territory. What we are doing is legitimate.”
When the prime minister was asked if UK officials would later remove the Mauritian flag, he said, “I don’t know what they are going to do. If they remove the flag, this will amount to a provocation on their part. The UK is not abiding by international law judgments.”
15-Day Expedition
Mauritius had set out a 15-day expedition on the scientific vessel, Bleu de Nîmes on Tuesday last week to the Chagos archipelago. The expedition is headed by Mauritius’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jagdish Koonjul. Koonjul is accompanied by Mauritius’ legal adviser, British Academic, Professor Philippe Sands, Mauritian government officials and Chagossians, who were forcibly evicted from their islands by the British in the 60s and 70s to make way for a military base. British and American journalists have also joined the voyage to document the spectacle. The expedition, a scientific survey, intended to land at the remote Blenheim Reef.
The Chagos Islands have been at the center of decades-long dispute over Britain’s decision to separate these islands from Mauritius in 1965. In 2019, the international court of justice, ruled that the UK had unlawfully detached the Chagos Islands from Mauritius before it gained its independence, and must return them.
