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Britain’s possession of the Chagos archipelago has been formally challenged after the Mauritian ambassador to the UN, Jagdish Koonjul, raised his nation’s flag above the atoll of Peros Banhos.
In a ceremony on Monday at 10.30am native time, Mauritian officers sang their nation’s nationwide anthem and the crimson, blue, yellow and inexperienced commonplace was raised up the flagpole.
Koonjul mentioned: “We’re performing the symbolic act of elevating the flag because the British have completed so many instances to ascertain colonies. We, nonetheless, are reclaiming what has at all times been our personal.”
A pre-recorded message by the Mauritian prime minister, Pravind Jugnauth, was broadcast on a speaker to the Chagossians, Mauritian officers and media assembled on the seaside.
“That is the primary time Mauritius has led an expedition to this a part of its territory,” he mentioned. “I really feel unhappy that I’ve not been capable of be a part of this historic go to.
“I’m delighted that our Chagossian brothers and sisters are capable of journey to their birthplace with none overseas [ie British] escort.
“The message I want to give out to the world, because the state with sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, is that we are going to guarantee a clever stewardship of its territory – over its maritime safety, conservation of the marine setting and human rights, notably the return of these of Chagossian origin.”
A metallic plaque secured beneath the flagpole mentioned: “Go to of the Mauritius delegation to Peros Banhos archipelago, Republic of Mauritius, within the context of the scientific survey of Blenheim Reef.”
In a telephone name to the Guardian shortly after the flag was raised, the Mauritian prime minister mentioned: “It is a very emotional second for me and a really historic time for us as a result of we’re capable of elevate our flag on our personal territory.
“The worldwide neighborhood and worldwide establishments have already determined that that is our territory. What we’re doing is legit.”
Requested what would occur if UK officers later eliminated the Mauritian flag, Jugnauth mentioned: “I don’t know what they’ll do. In the event that they take away the flag, this can quantity to a provocation on their half. The UK is just not abiding by worldwide regulation judgments.”
After the ceremony, the crew of the cruise ship Bleu de Nîmes, chartered by Mauritius, organized a barbecue on the seaside.
Wifi communications from the ship have been disrupted for the previous 24 hours. One other vessel was seen close by. It was not clear whether or not this was a UK-owned fisheries safety ship.
The Mauritian authorities is making clear that the time has come for its authorized victories in worldwide courts and the UN to be translated into info on the bottom.
Quite a few British Indian Ocean Territory indicators have been faraway from the island within the means of the touchdown and the flag-raising. Most had warned – ineffectively, given the garbage strewn round – that litter shouldn’t be left by visiting yacht crews.
The particles that has amassed on Peros Banhos, and the Salomon islands, the place there are buoys for anchoring, means that the UK authorities’s authority within the archipelago is already being flouted and its professed environmental considerations for the islands haven’t been rigorously adopted.
A Mauritian flag was additionally raised by three Mauritian officers on Salomon atoll throughout the touchdown on Sunday afternoon.
On Monday morning, shortly after daybreak, one of many solely everlasting residents of Peros Banhos was sighted: a donkey trotting alongside the sand. A small herd has survived on the island because the British deported its whole human inhabitants in 1972.
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