By The United Kingdom announced Thursday it will cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending a decades-long dispute over the strategically important Indian Ocean archipelago.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth issued a joint statement calling the agreement “a seminal moment” in relations between the two countries.
The deal, still subject to finalization of a treaty, allows the continued operation of a crucial U.S. military base on Diego Garcia, the largest atoll in the archipelago.
“This agreement ensures the long-term, secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia which plays a vital role in regional and global security,” the statement said.
Key points of the agreement include:
– The U.S.-UK base will remain on Diego Garcia for an initial period of 99 years.
– Mauritius can begin resettlement on other Chagos Islands, but not Diego Garcia.
– The UK will provide financial support to Mauritius, including annual payments and infrastructure investment.
U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the “historic agreement,” saying it secures the future of a key military installation.
The deal follows years of international pressure on the UK to relinquish control of what some called its “last colony in Africa.” The United Nations General Assembly and International Court of Justice had previously ruled in favor of Mauritius’ claim to the islands.
Mauritius has long argued it was forced to give up the Chagos archipelago in exchange for independence from Britain in 1968. The UK later apologized for forcibly removing over 1,000 islanders to make way for the U.S. base.
Some Chagossians expressed disappointment at their lack of involvement in negotiations. Frankie Bontemps, a second-generation Chagossian in the UK, told the BBC he felt “betrayed” and called for full inclusion of Chagossians in drafting the treaty.
The agreement marks a significant shift in UK policy, reflecting changing global dynamics and the need for broader international support on issues such as Ukraine.
While some British politicians criticized the deal as undermining national security interests, others view it as a peaceful resolution to a long-standing colonial dispute.
The Chagos Islands were among the last remnants of Britain’s once-vast empire. The UK retains sovereignty over 14 other overseas territories, including Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.
