The recent decision by the UK to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while keeping Diego Garcia under UK-US control, has raised concerns among the displaced Chagossians who feel excluded from the deal. The Chagos Islands have a long, complicated history with both Britain and Mauritius claiming ownership, leaving the former inhabitants marginalized. The decision to lease Diego Garcia for another century has been criticized as unconscionable, with many Chagossians feeling voiceless and angry about the lack of consultation.
The Chagossians were forcibly removed from their islands between 1965 and 1973, as part of a secret deal to allow the US to build a military base on Diego Garcia during the Cold War. Despite calls for a return and rare visits in recent years, no Chagossians have been able to live on the islands. Many have faced challenges in rebuilding their lives in places like Mauritius and Seychelles where they were relocated. The Chagossians have felt like second-class citizens and have dreamt of returning to their homeland, but the recent decision further distances them from that possibility.
The Chagos Islands have a rich history of enslaved Africans and indentured Indians working on plantations for export. The islands were relatively undisturbed until Britain’s formal possession in 1814 and the subsequent forced removal of the Chagossians in the 1960s. The Chagossians lived simple yet happy lives on the islands, and their forced displacement has left scars that haven’t healed over the decades. The recent decision to hand over the islands to Mauritius is seen as a step in the right direction, but the exclusion of Diego Garcia from the deal has disappointed many.
British novelist Peter Benson was inspired to write about the Chagossians’ plight after coming across a pamphlet in the late 1980s. He traveled to Mauritius to talk to the displaced Chagossians and later wrote a fictional novel based on their story. The Chagossians’ desire to return to their homeland and pay respects to their ancestors is a common sentiment among the community. The recent gestures of compensation and recognition by the UK government are seen as positive steps, but the lack of consultation and inclusion in the recent decision has left many feeling frustrated.
In 2016, the UK government announced a compensation package for Chagossians living in the UK, but there was no mention of a return home. The International Court of Justice ruled British occupation of the Islands unlawful in 2019, ordering their return to Mauritius. The recent agreement to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has been hailed as a landmark move and a demonstration of the commitment to peaceful resolution by both parties. The decision has been welcomed by the African Union as a step towards decolonization and Mauritian self-determination. Despite the positives, the exclusion of Diego Garcia from the deal remains a contentious issue for the Chagossians.
