Addis Ababa, 25 January 2018 - The African Union Commission (AUC) is working on making a submission to the International Court of Justice ( ICJ ) regarding the Advisory opinion on the legal consequences of separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965. This is in line with one of the aspiration provided in Agenda 2063 “An integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan- Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance”.

On 22 June 2017 the UN General Assembly adopted at the 88th meeting of its Seventy-five session, resolution 71/292, requested the Court to render an advisory opinion according to the Statute of the Court consequences arising from the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965.

The UN General Assembly in its decision asked the Court whether the decolonization of Mauritius had been carried out in a lawful manner, given the Archipelago’s subsequent separation. In addition to this, the General Assembly asked the Court to advise on the consequences arising from the United Kingdom’s continuing administration of the Chagos Archipelago under international law, including the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.

Upon receipt of the call for an Advisory Opinion, the ICJ adopted an order in which it fixed 30 January 2018 as the time limit within which statements on the question may be presented to the Court, and 16 April 2018 as the deadline for the second written submission.

Subsequently, the Commission submitted its request to the Court asking permission to make a submission in accordance with Article 66 of the Statute of the ICJ.

On 17 January 2018, the ICJ agreed that the African Union may be able to furnish information on the question of the subject matter. The Commission is currently engaged in preparing its submission.

For further information, please contact:

Tefesehet Sime and Tsion Demissie, Office of the Legal Counsel, AUC

Media Contact:

Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou| Head of Information Division | African Union Commission | Tel: +251 (0) 911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org |