Historic Agreement: UK Transfers Chagos Islands to Mauritius After 50-Year Dispute
A Landmark Resolution to Colonial Legacy
The United Kingdom has reached a historic agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, an Indian Ocean archipelago, to Mauritius. The deal includes provisions for maintaining the US military base on Diego Garcia, which will continue operating under a 99-year lease.
Under the terms of the agreement, the UK will make substantial financial commitments, paying Mauritius an annual average of £101 million for 99 years in 2025/26 prices, totaling approximately £3.4 billion. This estimate has been verified by the government’s actuary department.
Historical Context and Controversy
The Chagos Archipelago became British territory in 1814. In 1965, the UK formally separated the islands from its then-colony Mauritius, before Mauritius gained independence. In the late 1960s, the UK invited the US to build a military base on Diego Garcia, which resulted in the forced displacement of thousands of people from their homes.
The International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled in 2019 that the decolonization process of Mauritius was not lawfully completed, and in 2021, a United Nations maritime court rejected Britain’s claim to sovereignty over the islands.
Current Implications and Future Prospects
The settlement has significant geopolitical implications, particularly benefiting India, which maintains a strong presence in the area through cooperation with Mauritius, while also engaging in military cooperation with the US as part of efforts to address China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean.
Under the new agreement, Mauritius will be permitted to bring people to the other Chagos Islands, though no other armed forces will be allowed in the archipelago. However, the deal has caused concern among Chagossians, who worry about their future ability to return home now that the islands will be under Mauritian control.
International Response
US President Joe Biden has praised the “historic agreement,” stating that it “demonstrates how countries can overcome long-standing historical challenges through diplomacy and partnership to reach peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes.” Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam hailed the deal as a “great victory for the Mauritian nation,” noting that it completes the process of total decolonization.
