Jonathan Powell has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago.

The Government has agreed to continue the talks, which began in 2022 under the previous government. Resolving this long-standing issue with a close Commonwealth partner is in the interest of both parties.  

Mr Powell has extensive experience in negotiations affecting the UK’s national interests in sensitive domestic and international contexts, including playing a central role in securing the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and previously serving as Prime Minister David Cameron’s Special Envoy to Libya between 2014 and 2016. 

He will begin his role immediately and his work will involve engaging the most senior Mauritian and US interlocutors and advising Ministers and HMG negotiators on how to conclude a robust agreement. 

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

Negotiations with Mauritius over the BIOT/Chagos Archipelago are critical to the UK’s security. We are determined to protect the long-term, secure and effective operation of the joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia.

Jonathan Powell’s experience working with governments of all colours in the most sensitive international negotiations makes him uniquely qualified to serve as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy. 

I look forward to working with him as we endeavour to reach a settlement that protects UK interests and those of our partners.

The Chagos Archipelago includes the island of Diego Garcia, the location of an important UK-US military base which plays a vital role in regional and global security. 

Working in close coordination with the United States, the UK Government will continue the previous government’s policy of aiming to reach an agreement that protects the UK’s security interests, respects Chagossian communities, enhances environmental cooperation and builds a long-term strategic relationship with Mauritius as a close Commonwealth partner. 

The UK-Mauritius negotiations began in November 2022. To date, 12 rounds of talks have taken place.

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