The Prime Minister, accompanied by Olivier Bancoult and Jagdish Koonjul, held a press conference on Friday. Pravind Jugnauth expressed his satisfaction with the expedition to the Chagos Archipelago for a scientific study. “It is a success,” said Pravind Jugnauth. He said he was even prouder that this visit, according to him, “has created a surge of patriotism among many Mauritians, both in Mauritius and abroad”.
The head of government once again called the first trip, which took place from February 11 to 16 and was primarily focused on “Blenheim Reef,” “historic and a resounding success.” “It was a moment of strong emotions for those who were able to be part of the trip”. “This scientific study was crucial in order to allow Mauritius to properly prepare its response to the Maldives, no later than April 14, at the Special Chamber of ITLOS,” he said.
He said that during this visit, Chagossians had the opportunity to visit some of the islands of the archipelago where they were able, in some cases, to clean their churches and cemeteries. The study was important, he said, to enable Mauritius to prepare its response to the Mauritius-Maldives offshore boundary dispute. The Prime Minister also revealed that during his expedition, as soon as the yacht Bleu de Nîmes entered Chagos waters, it was followed by two British ships. One of them was the Grampian Frontier. Pravind Jugnauth added that in Chagos waters, the internet on board the yacht was cut off. He condemns Britain’s attitude on that matter.
To those who criticize this study, Pravind Jugnauth, said that “It is sad and I feel sorry”. The Prime Minister attests that satellite images are not enough in the maritime battle against the Maldives. Therefore, for him, it was essential to go to the “Blenheim Reef” because it represents a maritime conflict against the Maldives.
Pravind Jugnauth reported the presence of two British surveillance boats and also internet outages while the visit was underway on the Chagos Archipelago. When the Blue de Nîmes passed through the EEZ of the Chagos Archipelago, the internet connection was interrupted. The connection was re-established the moment the ship left the Chagos EEZ,” the PM lamented. The PM recalled that “Mauritius had, as a courtesy, written to England last December that we would initiate a survey at Blenheim Reef. England had subsequently replied that it would not create an obstacle to this exercise. (…).
The head of the government has, once again, appealed to England to respect international rights, the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice among others.
“I must be proud that we have been able to undertake for the first time a visit to the Chagos Archipelago. I am extremely pleased with the outcome of this historic visit which allowed us to achieve the four objectives. Among them, to collect data for our response against the Maldives. And this visit fulfilled the wish of our compatriots who are of Chagossian origin. They were able to travel to their native country without any restrictions or even foreign or military escorts. They went there as free citizens,” said the PM.
Pravind Jugnauth was very critical of some members of the opposition on the way they commented on this expedition to Chagos. “Fin ena ban komanter ki komkwa Moris pa ti bizin al fer sa survet la. Li paret ena gran expertis dan Moris ki dir ki apartir ban zimaz sateliter ki kapav prepar nou ‘reply’ ki bizin soumet au Tribunal international du Droit de la Mer. The comments of some politicians are pitiful. It is very sad. They should have informed themselves first. (…) These are outdated comments. The satellite images are not only not sufficient but also not conclusive to help the said tribunal in the exercise of the delimitation of the maritime boundary between Mauritius and the Maldives,” says the PM.
