UK Concedes Chagos Islands Sovereignty to Mauritius, Secures Diego Garcia Base for 99 Years Amid Diplomatic Triumph and Political Controversy

UK Agrees to Transfer Chagos Islands Sovereignty to Mauritius, Ending Protracted Conflict

After a prolonged 50-year disagreement, Mauritius and the UK have resolved their conflict over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean. The agreement stipulates that the tropical atoll of Diego Garcia, which houses a critical military base, will continue to be controlled by the US and UK for an additional 99 years.

Political correspondent @alixculbertson

Thursday, October 3, 2024, 7:

The UK plans to transfer control of the distant Chagos Islands to Mauritius, resolving a longstanding conflict.

The agreement for Mauritius to acquire the Indian Ocean archipelago encompasses the tropical atoll of Diego Garcia, which houses a significant military base operated by both the UK and the US, essential for regional stability and global security.

As per the terms of the deal, the military base will continue to be governed by the United Kingdom and the United States for a minimum of 99 years

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The UK government stated that the agreement aims to "rectify historical injustices and show the dedication of both sides to promote the well-being" of the Chagossians, who are the indigenous inhabitants of the islands.

U.S. President Joe Biden applauded the decision, describing it as advantageous for all parties involved, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised it as a victory for diplomatic efforts.

Numerous prominent members of the Conservative Party have criticized the decision as "feeble." Ex-security minister Tom Tugendhat described it as a "disgraceful withdrawal that compromises our safety and leaves our partners vulnerable."

There are worries that an upcoming government in Mauritius might not stick to the current deal, potentially allowing China, which has significant investments in the country, to assume control of the military base.

Financial assistance package

An announcement by the governments of Mauritius and the UK declared that Mauritius has the green light to start a resettlement initiative on the islands, excluding Diego Garcia. Additionally, the UK has committed to offering financial aid and other forms of assistance to the Chagossians who were displaced.

The UK has committed to a financial aid package for Mauritius that includes yearly contributions for the coming 99 years, alongside support for an infrastructure partnership initiative.

Speaking to the citizens of Mauritius, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth stated, "There were those who believed that a small nation like Mauritius achieving justice against superpowers was an unlikely feat."

"Even with these challenges, we stayed committed to our goal of ending colonial rule in our nation."

"Today marks the 56th anniversary of our independence, signifying the full realization of our decolonization process."

In an interview with Sky News, Foreign Minister Maneesh Gobin described the agreement as a "historic day," beneficial for both "sovereign nations."

Regarding the topic of China's impact, the foreign minister expressed regret that China continued to be mentioned in conversations about the Chagos Islands.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated, "The current administration took over at a time when the continued, stable functioning of the Diego Garcia military base was at risk, facing disputed claims of sovereignty and persistent legal disputes."

Today's deal ensures the long-term security of this crucial military facility.

"This initiative will enhance our position in protecting international safety, eliminate the chance of the Indian Ocean serving as a perilous unauthorized migration path to the UK, and ensure our enduring partnership with Mauritius, a valued ally in the Commonwealth."

Historical Background of the Chagos Islands

Since the 18th century, the Chagos Islands were inhabited by the Chagossians, who were originally brought there as slaves from Africa and India by French colonizers.

Originally under the control of Mauritius during its time as a French colony, the Chagos Islands were later asserted by the United Kingdom as a component of Mauritius in the early 1800s.

Since achieving independence from the United Kingdom in 1968, Mauritius has actively pursued its claim over the Chagos Archipelago.

During the late 1960s, the United States requested that the United Kingdom remove all inhabitants from the archipelago in order to construct a naval support facility on Diego Garcia, the largest island. The island is leased to the United States, although it functions as a collaborative base between the UK and the US.

Since 1971, access has been restricted exclusively to U.S. military personnel. The indigenous Chagossians, along with residents of neighboring islands, were forcibly relocated to Mauritius or the Seychelles. These forced removals are considered among the most disgraceful episodes of Britain's recent colonial past, and the Chagossians have been battling for the right to return for many years.

In 2010, Mauritius initiated legal action against the United Kingdom, questioning the legitimacy of the archipelago's sovereignty and seeking both compensation and the return of former residents. By 2018, Mauritius had brought the case before the International Court of Justice.

Since 2002, the UK government has made British Overseas Territories Citizenship available to the Chagossians, with approximately 3,500 accepting the offer. The majority of these new citizens have settled in Crawley, West Sussex, close to Gatwick Airport.

Since 2021, roughly 89 Tamil asylum seekers from Sri Lanka have reached Diego Garcia. However, the UK government contends that the refugee convention is not applicable there, leaving them in a state of uncertainty in a temporary refugee camp.

Mauritius has consistently asserted that the Chagos archipelago belongs to it, arguing that the United Kingdom's claim is in breach of United Nations resolutions that prohibit the fragmentation of colonial territories prior to independence.

In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly declared that the Chagos Islands are an inseparable part of Mauritius' territory, but this statement did not carry legal force.

In November 2022, the then UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly revealed that the United Kingdom and Mauritius had commenced discussions concerning sovereignty with Mauritius.

In December 2023, during the tenure of David Cameron as Foreign Secretary, negotiations were halted following a report from three law scholars arguing that handing over the islands would constitute a significant self-imposed setback for the UK.

The Labour administration has resumed negotiations and has reached an agreement to return the islands to Mauritius, while allowing the US and UK to maintain the military base.

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'Nations can resolve difficulties through diplomatic engagement'

The President of the United States expressed approval of the decision, stating, "I commend the landmark deal."

"This clearly shows that by engaging in diplomacy and collaborating, nations can resolve deep-rooted historical issues and achieve outcomes that are peaceful and advantageous for all parties involved."

The deal is contingent upon the completion of a formal treaty and accompanying legal documents, which Mauritius and the United Kingdom have pledged to finalize "as quickly as possible."

Ex-foreign secretary James Cleverly criticized the government, labeling it as "weak, weak, weak."

He stated, "Labour made false promises to secure their position. They claimed they would maintain purity, avoid raising taxes, confront the EU, and uphold patriotism. All of those were lies!"

'A tactical debacle'

Mr. Tugendhat criticized the Foreign Office for acting contrary to Britain's interests, stating it was "shameful that these discussions commenced while we were in charge," pointing a finger at Mr. Cleverly, who held the position of foreign secretary when the negotiations kicked off in 2022.

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, described the decision to relinquish control of the Chagos Islands as a "strategic disaster," arguing that it would anger the United States and please Beijing.

"He claimed that Labour's actions are increasing global risks," he stated.

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