In a significant geopolitical shift, the United Kingdom has announced it will transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, concluding a complex and protracted negotiation process that has spanned more than 50 years. The Chagos Islands, a remote yet strategically vital archipelago in the Indian Ocean, includes Diego Garcia, which hosts a critical military base utilized by the United States for naval operations and long-range bombers.
This historic agreement was revealed in a joint statement from the Prime Ministers of the UK and Mauritius, signaling the end of decades of often contentious discussions between the two nations. The UK has committed to formally transferring control of the islands, contingent upon the completion of a treaty that both governments have pledged to finalize swiftly.
Key to the agreement is the ongoing presence of the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia. This factor has been crucial in facilitating the deal, particularly as geopolitical tensions rise in the region, especially with the growing influence of India and China. The military operations on Diego Garcia are deemed essential for maintaining stability and security in both national and regional contexts.
In their joint statement, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth described the agreement as a pivotal moment in their bilateral relations, underscoring a shared commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and adherence to international law. They also expressed their dedication to ensuring the secure operation of the military base, which is integral to both regional and global security.
As part of the deal, the UK will offer Mauritius a financial support package that includes annual payments and investments in infrastructure. The Mauritian government will also initiate a resettlement program for Chagossians, although this will not extend to Diego Garcia, where the military base will continue operating for an initial period of 99 years.
US President Joe Biden has expressed his approval of the agreement, describing it as a historic milestone that demonstrates how diplomacy can resolve long-standing challenges. He emphasized the importance of the military base, noting its vital role in maintaining security across various levels.
However, reactions from Chagossians themselves have been mixed. Frankie Bontemps, a second-generation Chagossian living in the UK, expressed feelings of betrayal and anger over the decision, highlighting that Chagossians were not included in the negotiations. He emphasized their lack of agency in determining the future of their homeland, calling for their inclusion in the treaty drafting process.
The UK has faced increasing diplomatic isolation concerning its claims over what it calls the British Indian Ocean Territory. Various UN bodies, including the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly, have overwhelmingly sided with Mauritius, insisting that the UK relinquish control over what some refer to as its last colony in Africa.
Mauritius has long argued that it was coerced into ceding the Chagos Islands to the UK in exchange for independence in 1968. This agreement was underpinned by a secret deal with the US, allowing the establishment of a military base on Diego Garcia, which the UK had already negotiated.
The British government later acknowledged the injustices faced by the Chagossians, who were forcibly removed from their homes during this period, and had promised to return the islands once they were no longer strategically necessary. Until recently, the UK maintained that Mauritius had no legitimate claim to the islands.
For decades, Mauritius struggled to garner substantial international support for its claim. A small group of Chagos islanders, displaced in the late 1960s and early 70s, took legal action against the UK government. However, only in recent years has the international perspective shifted, particularly among African nations advocating for decolonization.
The UK’s departure from the EU following Brexit has made other European countries less willing to support its claims in international discussions. The Mauritian government has adopted a more aggressive stance, leveling accusations of threats against the UK while conducting a sophisticated campaign to secure support at the UN and in various courts.
Negotiations that led to this agreement began under the previous UK government but gained urgency in the current international climate, notably amid the ongoing situation in Ukraine. The UK is eager to remove the Chagos issue as an impediment to strengthening global alliances, particularly with African nations, especially in light of the potential return of a Trump presidency.
Chagossians have diverse opinions regarding their homeland’s future. Some wish to return to the islands, while others are more concerned about their rights and status in the UK. There are also voices arguing that the fate of the Chagos archipelago should not be determined by external parties.
Despite the significance of the agreement, backlash is anticipated from certain factions in the UK. Tory leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat has criticized the deal as detrimental to Britain’s interests, labeling the negotiations as a disgraceful retreat that compromises national security and leaves allies vulnerable. Former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has similarly described the agreement as weak.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has commented that while the agreement aims to address past injustices against the Chagossians, it perpetuates ongoing issues. The treaty does not guarantee the return of Chagossians to their homeland, explicitly prohibiting them from living on Diego Garcia for another century, and fails to mention the reparations owed to them for rebuilding their lives.
Clive Baldwin, a senior legal advisor at HRW, stressed the necessity for meaningful consultations with the Chagossians. He warned that without their involvement, the UK, US, and Mauritius would be complicit in perpetuating a colonial legacy.
This moment marks a pivotal point in British history as it continues to relinquish remnants of its once vast empire. After over half a century of complex negotiations, the UK has agreed to hand over one of the last vestiges of its colonial past, albeit reluctantly and amid significant global changes.
As the finalization of this treaty progresses, the remaining British overseas territories include Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Antarctic Territory, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands. There are also two sovereign base areas on Cyprus that remain under British jurisdiction.
In summary, the UK’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius represents a crucial development in post-colonial relations and reflects broader shifts in global politics. As the nations work toward finalizing the treaty, the implications for both the Chagossian community and regional security will be closely monitored.
