UK to Transfer Sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

The United Kingdom has announced its decision to cede sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, a strategically significant cluster in the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius after more than 50 years of control. This landmark agreement follows years of negotiations between the two nations.

The deal includes Diego Garcia, a key atoll used by the United States as a military base for navy ships and long-range bombers. Despite the sovereignty transfer, the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia will remain operational, a crucial aspect of the agreement amid growing geopolitical competition in the region, particularly with India and China.

The agreement, still pending the finalization of a treaty, was jointly announced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to finalizing the treaty swiftly. They highlighted the peaceful resolution of disputes and the ongoing importance of the Diego Garcia base in maintaining global security.

In addition to ceding sovereignty, the UK will provide Mauritius with financial support, including infrastructure investments and annual payments. Mauritius, in turn, will initiate a resettlement program for Chagossians on the islands, excluding Diego Garcia, which will continue to operate as a military base for an initial 99-year period.

US President Joe Biden hailed the agreement, noting it exemplified how diplomacy can overcome long-standing challenges. However, the decision has sparked criticism from some Chagossians, like UK-based second-generation Chagossian Frankie Bontemps, who expressed frustration over their exclusion from the negotiations.

The UK’s claim to the Chagos Islands, referred to as the British Indian Ocean Territory, has faced increasing international opposition. Various United Nations bodies, including its top court, have overwhelmingly supported Mauritius, urging the UK to relinquish control. Mauritius contends that it was forced to give up the islands as a condition for its independence from Britain in 1968, with the UK secretly leasing Diego Garcia to the US for military use.

For years, Mauritius struggled to gain global support for its cause. However, shifting international opinions, African solidarity on decolonization, and the UK’s diminished influence post-Brexit have altered the landscape. The Mauritian government’s assertive campaign, coupled with diplomatic pressure, led to the breakthrough deal.

Although the Chagos islanders, dispersed across Mauritius, the Seychelles, and the UK, hold differing views on the future of their homeland, this agreement marks a significant moment in resolving the decades-long dispute.