UK to Return Chagos Islands to Mauritius in Historic Agreement

In a monumental decision, the United Kingdom has agreed to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, marking a significant step in the decolonization of Africa. This historic deal, announced jointly by the UK and Mauritius, will also ensure the continued operation of the US military base on Diego Garcia, a strategically important outpost in the Indian Ocean.

The agreement, which brings an end to over five decades of dispute, guarantees that the United States’ Diego Garcia airbase will remain operational for at least 99 more years. This base has played a crucial role in regional and global security, serving as a launchpad for key military operations during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

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British Foreign Minister David Lammy stated that the deal settles contested sovereignty issues and addresses the ongoing legal challenges that had threatened the long-term future of the base. He emphasised that the agreement reinforces the UK’s role in safeguarding global security, while also preventing the Indian Ocean from becoming a route for illegal migration to the UK.

US President Joe Biden welcomed the agreement, describing it as a testament to the power of diplomacy and partnership. He praised the base’s critical role in countering major global security threats.

Historical Injustice and Resettlement

The Chagos Islands, part of the British Indian Ocean Territory since 1965, were detached from Mauritius shortly before its independence in 1968. In the early 1970s, the UK forcibly removed around 2,000 Chagossians to Mauritius and the Seychelles to make way for the construction of the Diego Garcia airbase. This displacement has been a source of profound injustice, leaving thousands of Chagossians in exile for generations.

A United Nations resolution in 2019 ruled that the UK had wrongfully retained control of the islands and called for their return to Mauritius. The International Court of Justice also issued an advisory opinion in favour of Mauritius’ sovereignty, putting international pressure on the UK to act.

As part of the new agreement, Mauritius will now be able to implement a resettlement program for displaced Chagossians on the islands, excluding Diego Garcia. The UK has also pledged to establish a trust fund to support the Chagossian community, many of whom have been scattered across Mauritius, the Seychelles, and the UK.

A Divided Response from the Chagossian Community

While some Chagossians view the agreement as a step toward righting historical wrongs, others have expressed frustration over being excluded from the negotiations. UK-based Chagossian advocacy group Chagossian Voices criticised the lack of direct consultation, saying that the community remains “powerless and voiceless” in determining their future.

Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth celebrated the agreement as a decisive move to complete the decolonization of his country, while acknowledging the long road ahead to ensure the full return of the Chagossian people to their ancestral lands.

Geopolitical Implications

This agreement comes at a time of shifting global dynamics, with geopolitical rivalries intensifying in the Indian Ocean region. Critics of the deal in the UK, particularly members of the opposition Conservative Party, have raised concerns that Mauritius’ close trade relations with China could enable Beijing to gain a foothold in the Indian Ocean. Some have labelled the agreement a “capitulation,” arguing that it weakens the UK’s global standing.

However, many analysts see this deal as a win for diplomacy, decolonization, and international law, reinforcing Africa’s broader push for the restoration of sovereignty over territories still held by former colonial powers.

Moving Forward

As the UK prepares to finalise this agreement, the world watches closely, not only for the completion of the treaty but also for its impact on the future of the Chagossian people. For African nations, this represents a critical victory in the ongoing journey toward true decolonization and self-determination.

In the words of one Chagossian descendant, “This agreement brings back hope. It reminds us that our heritage and history matter, and that justice, though delayed, can still be realised.“