On Thursday, the United Kingdom agreed to return all but one of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, marking a significant shift in the long-standing territorial dispute over the Indian Ocean archipelago. The British government will retain Diego Garcia, the largest island in the chain, to secure the continued operation of a key UK-U.S. military base there. The agreement is seen as a step toward resolving contested sovereignty and maintaining regional security.
The History of the Chagos Islands Dispute
The Chagos Islands, an archipelago of over 60 islands in the Indian Ocean, were separated from Mauritius in 1965 by the British government, just three years before Mauritius gained independence. The islands have since been a point of contention, with Mauritius consistently advocating for their return. The largest of the islands, Diego Garcia, is home to a major naval base established by the U.S. in the 1970s under a lease agreement with the UK. This base, described by U.S. officials as “an all but indispensable platform” for operations in the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa, hosts roughly 2,500 personnel, mostly Americans.
The new agreement between the UK and Mauritius allows for the return of the majority of the Chagos Islands, while ensuring Diego Garcia remains under British control for at least 99 years. The arrangement seeks to prevent legal challenges and contested sovereignty that could threaten the base’s operation.
A Strategic Deal for Global Security
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the significance of the agreement for both countries. “It will strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK, as well as guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a close Commonwealth partner,” Lammy said.
By resolving the sovereignty dispute, the UK hopes to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the Diego Garcia base, a critical asset in joint UK-U.S. defense operations. President Joe Biden also praised the agreement, calling it “historic” and noting its importance for maintaining the effectiveness of the joint facility on Diego Garcia well into the next century.
The Chagossian Displacement and Calls for Inclusion
While the deal marks progress for both nations, it has sparked renewed criticism from the Chagossian community, many of whom were displaced when the Diego Garcia base was built in the 1970s. An estimated 1,500 natives were forcibly removed from the islands to make way for the base, and their descendants continue to demand a say in their homeland’s future.
Chagossian Voices, a group representing the Chagossian diaspora, expressed frustration over being left out of the decision-making process. “Chagossians have learned this outcome from the media and remain powerless and voiceless in determining our own future and the future of our homeland,” the group said in a statement. They called for full inclusion in the treaty negotiations, stressing that the indigenous population should have a role in determining the islands’ future.
As part of the deal, the British government will establish a resettlement fund to help displaced Chagossians return to islands other than Diego Garcia. However, the group remains critical of the exclusion from discussions, demanding more than just financial compensation.
Legal Finalization and Treaty Signing
Although the agreement has been reached, it still requires formal approval through a treaty and legal processes that both sides aim to complete as soon as possible. Under the deal, the UK will pay Mauritius rent for Diego Garcia, though the exact cost has not been disclosed. The agreement will secure the base’s operation for an initial period of 99 years, with the possibility of renewal.
Apart from Diego Garcia, the return of the islands represents a milestone for Mauritius in its decades-long struggle to reclaim sovereignty. However, the road ahead may still be contentious as the Chagossian community continues to push for a greater role in shaping the future of their ancestral land.
The UK’s decision to return the majority of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is a significant moment in international diplomacy, resolving a long-standing sovereignty dispute while preserving a crucial military base. As the legal and political processes unfold, the voices of the displaced Chagossians will remain central to the ongoing conversation about the future of the islands.