The Southern African Development Community (SADC) welcomes the historic political agreement reached between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the sovereignty of the Republic of Mauritius, a Member State of SADC, over the Chagos Archipelago, including the Diego Garcia.
SADC has long been a staunch advocate of the Republic of Mauritius in her quest for sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. At the 35th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Gaborone, Republic of Botswana on 18th August 2015, the Summit endorsed international calls for the United Kingdom to expeditiously end her occupation of the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, to enable the Republic of Mauritius to effectively exercise her sovereignty over the Archipelago.
SADC joins the Republic of Mauritius in celebrating this important milestone and commends the country and the United Kingdom for this amicable outcome following international law governing the settlement of disputes among sovereign nations.
We remain confident that the two countries will expedite the finalisation of the Treaty that will address wrongs of the past and provide a long-term framework of cooperation between them to guarantee the sovereignty of the Republic of Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.
SADC looks forward to working collaboratively and progressively with the Republic of Mauritius in environmental protection and maritime security, combating illegal fishing, irregular migration, and drug trafficking, among others, within the Chagos Archipelago.
HIS EXCELLENCY MR. ELIAS M MAGOSI
SADC EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
09 October 2024, Gaborone, Botswana
