In a joint statement on Thursday, the UK and Mauritius announced a deal that would return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, bringing an end to a long-standing dispute over the former British territory. The agreement involves the UK relinquishing control of the islands, with the exception of Diego Garcia, a crucial military base shared by the UK and US. Diego Garcia will remain under UK and US jurisdiction for the next 99 years to ensure its continued operation.
The Chagos Islands, consisting of 60 remote isles strategically located in the Indian Ocean, were once part of the British colony of Mauritius. However, in 1968, the UK purchased the archipelago from Mauritius as part of its decolonisation process, a move that was later deemed unlawful by the International Court of Justice in 2019. Despite the court’s advisory ruling, the UK government had maintained its control over the islands, citing that the ruling was not binding.
The agreement also aims to address the “wrongs of the past” concerning the forced eviction of almost 1,500 residents from Diego Garcia in the 1970s to make way for the military base. The deal allows those evicted and their descendants, who now mainly reside in the UK, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, the right to return to the islands, excluding Diego Garcia. Mauritius is now free to implement a resettlement program for the affected individuals.
The US Navy base at Diego Garcia, established in the 1970s, is described as a critical platform for security operations in the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa by American authorities. Both the UK and the US praised the agreement, emphasizing the importance of the military base in maintaining national, regional, and global security. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy highlighted the deal’s role in safeguarding against illegal migration routes to the UK and strengthening the long-term relationship with Mauritius.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed that the agreement would prevent the Indian Ocean from being used as an illegal migration route to the UK and ensure a lasting relationship with Mauritius, a close Commonwealth partner. US President Joe Biden also hailed the deal as “historic,” emphasizing the significance of the Diego Garcia base in preserving national, regional, and global security. The agreement marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between the UK, Mauritius, and the US, demonstrating a commitment to resolving disputes peacefully and upholding the rule of law.
