LONDON: The United Kingdom on Thursday announced it is giving up sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in a deal that will secure the future of a key US military base located on Diego Garcia while allowing islanders displaced for the past five decades a right of return.
The deal, announced jointly by the UK and Mauritius, grants Mauritius full sovereignty over the remote archipelago. This deal not only secures the strategic military installation for the next 99 years but also grants the long-displaced Chagossian population a right to return to their ancestral home.
The joint announcement by British Foreign Minister David Lammy and Mauritian officials highlights the agreement’s significance for both nations and regional security. Lammy stated, “Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future… [and] strengthens our role in safeguarding global security.”
The Chagos Islands have been under British control since 1814. In 1965, the UK separated the islands from Mauritius—then a colony—to create the British Indian Ocean Territory.
This controversial decision facilitated the establishment of a military base on Diego Garcia, which was leased to the United States in 1966, leading to the forced eviction of approximately 1,500 Chagossians in the early 1970s. The UK had controversially classified these residents as “transient workers” to circumvent international law.
The situation changed significantly following a 2019 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which declared that the UK had wrongfully displaced the Chagossians to make way for the military base. The ICJ urged the UK to relinquish control of the islands, a resolution further endorsed by the United Nations, which demanded a six-month deadline for the transfer of sovereignty.
Despite previous hesitations from UK officials, the current agreement reflects a shift in policy. It is perceived as a necessary step to improve the UK’s standing on the global stage and adhere to international law.
Under the new arrangement, Mauritius is now free to implement a resettlement program for Chagossians, who have remained dispersed across Mauritius, Seychelles, and the UK. The UK government has committed to establishing a trust fund and providing financial assistance to support the resettlement and the broader economic development of Mauritius.
US President Joe Biden praised the accord, calling it a “historic agreement” that demonstrates how diplomacy can resolve longstanding issues. Diego Garcia, often referred to as the “Footprint of Freedom,” has been a pivotal site for US military operations, particularly following the 9/11 attacks, and has faced scrutiny over allegations of hosting rendition flights.
