Following the agreement in principle between Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the return of Chagos, the hope of a return has never been so tangible for the exiles of this archipelago in the Indian Ocean. However, the Chagossian community insists on being included in future negotiations leading to the signing of a final treaty. Meeting with some of the rare natives of this community living in Mauritius.
4 mins
With our correspondent in Port-Louis, Abdoolah Earally
In his modest home in Roche-Bois, a working-class suburb north of Port-Louis, capital of MauritiusRosemond Bertin is impatiently waiting to finally be able to return to his native land, Chagos. The hope of a return has never been so strong in his mind since the announcement, on October 3, of London’s recognition of the Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago and the commitment to allow the return of the Chagossians, with the exception of the island of Diego Garcia, which has become an American military base, the cause of their uprooting. “ If the opportunity arises, I leave everything behind and return immediately to my island », she enthuses.
She was 16 years old, already married and the mother of a first child, when in November 1972, Rosemond and eleven other members of her family were forced by the British authorities to board a ship without a specific destination. “ We didn’t know where we were going. We were packed into the hold like slaves, it looked like human trafficking », says this native of Chagos, now aged 68.
“ If a boat showed up now, I would leave immediately »
The Chagossians estimate that there are only around 200 natives still alive, mainly in Mauritius, with others in the Seychelles and the United Kingdom.
When asked what she thinks of Maurice, Rosemond Bertin responds, in a tone mixed with sadness and incomprehension about his exile: “ I managed to live in Mauritius, even though it was very hard. I cannot be critical of Mauritius and Mauritians. Maurice was an adoptive mother to me. But my real mother is Chagos. I want my land back. »
Also listenGreat report – The Exiles of Chagos
At the other end of the capital, in Pointe-aux-Sables, Eileen Talat, 60, observes with melancholy the sea and the ships off the coast of Port-Louis. “ Every time I speak to journalists about our expulsion, I relive this moment of uprooting », she says with emotion. Like Rosemond, she feels that the long-awaited return has never been so close: “ If a boat showed up now, I would leave immediately, with only a few clothes as luggage. »
Eileen’s mother, Lisette Talat, an emblematic figure in the fight for the return of the Chagossians, has now died. His photo adorns the wall of the headquarters of the Groupe Réfugiés Chagos in Pointe-aux-Sables, where Chagossians gather regularly under the leadership of Olivier Bancoult, the leader of the movement.
“ We also demand financial reparations »
On Sunday, October 13, they met to define a common position following the agreement in principle concluded between Port-Louis and London on the retrocession of Chagos and the return of the Chagossians. Olivier Bancoult, himself deported at the age of 4 from Peros Banhos, expressed his regret at not having been consulted during the two years of negotiations between the Mauritian and British governments. He fights in particular so that Diego Garcia, like Peros Banhos and Salomon, is open to the return of the Chagossians. “ We also demand financial reparations, as well as a share of the revenue generated by the military lease “, he emphasizes.
On Monday, October 14, the Chagossians sent a letter to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, via the British High Commission in Port Louis, in which they accept the continuation of the negotiations, but insist that the Chagossians be involved in the discussions. However, these talks are currently suspended, as Mauritius is in the middle of the electoral campaign for the legislative elections on November 10. The opposition insisted that the outgoing government should not sign any treaty with London during this transition period.
Also readChagos Archipelago: these outstanding questions after the announcement of an agreement between Mauritius and the United Kingdom