The United Kingdom has recently announced that it is giving up sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in a deal that will secure the future of the key US military base on the atoll of Diego Garcia. The agreement guarantees the operation of the United States base for the next 99 years, ensuring the security and stability of the military facility. This move is seen as strengthening the UK’s role in safeguarding global security and maintaining a long-term relationship with Mauritius.
The Chagos Islands were detached from Mauritius by the UK in 1965 to create the British Indian Ocean Territory. Shortly after, about 1,500 residents were evicted from the islands to make way for a US airbase on the largest island of Diego Garcia. The UK had labeled the Chagossians as “transient workers” to avoid breaching international law. However, former Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam initiated a legal battle to reclaim sovereignty over the islands, leading to a ruling in favor of Mauritius by the International Court of Justice in 2019.
The joint statement issued by the UK and Mauritius announces that Mauritius will now have full sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, aside from Diego Garcia. This includes the implementation of a program for the resettlement of Chagossians to their homeland. The UK has also pledged to establish a new trust fund and provide support for the Chagossians, who now reside in Mauritius, the Seychelles, and the UK. However, some Chagossians dispute Mauritian sovereignty and are advocating for self-determination as an indigenous people.
The Chagossians voiced their discontent with the exclusion from the negotiations and lack of consultation by the UK regarding the handover to Mauritius. Chagossian Voices, a community organization based in the UK, criticized the UK for ignoring the views of the Chagossians and demanded full inclusion in the drafting of the treaty. Despite this, the UK and Mauritius plan to work together on various issues such as environmental protection, maritime security, drugs, and people trafficking, with the support of the US and India.
The treaty between the UK and Mauritius is seen as a step towards a new chapter in their shared history, heralding an era of economic, security, and environmental partnership. The agreement also received praise from US President Joe Biden, who commended the diplomatic resolution of longstanding historical challenges. Diego Garcia, the strategic military base on the Chagos Islands, played a crucial role in US overseas operations post the 9/11 attacks, serving as a key location in the Indian Ocean for military activities.
The agreement between the UK and Mauritius marks a significant development in the long-standing dispute over the Chagos Islands, paving the way for the future of the strategically important Diego Garcia military base. The deal allows for the rights of the displaced Chagossians to be addressed, while also ensuring the continued operation of the US military facility. This diplomatic resolution is a testament to the power of partnership and diplomacy in overcoming complex historical challenges and working towards peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes on the world stage.
