The United Kingdom has reached a landmark agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending a decades-long dispute. This deal includes the Diego Garcia atoll, home to a crucial military base jointly operated by the UK and the US, which will remain under their control for at least the next 99 years.
The UK government described the decision as a step to “address wrongs of the past” and reaffirmed its commitment to support the welfare of Chagossians, the indigenous people of the islands who were displaced in the 1970s.
US President Joe Biden praised the agreement, calling it “mutually beneficial.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken termed it as a “win for diplomacy.” However, the decision has sparked opposition in the UK Former security minister Tom Tugendhat calling it a “shameful retreat,” expressing concerns that it would weaken UK security and expose its allies.
Critics have also voiced fears that a future Mauritian government, influenced by China, could allow Beijing to access Diego Garcia. China has made significant investments in Mauritius, leading to speculation about its intentions in the region. However, the UK and Mauritian governments have maintained that the base will continue to operate under UK-US control.
In a joint statement, the UK and Mauritius confirmed that Mauritius would begin a resettlement program for Chagossians on islands other than Diego Garcia. The UK has committed to providing a “package of financial support,” including annual payments and infrastructure funding over the next 99 years.
Mauritius’ Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth described the agreement as a victory for the small nation, said, “There are some people who thought that it might have been impossible for a small country like Mauritius to have achieved justice against superpowers.”
The Chagos Islands have been a point of contention between the UK and Mauritius since the latter gained independence in 1968. The UK retained control of the islands and leased Diego Garcia to the US for military use, forcibly removing the Chagossians in the process. Since then, Chagossians have campaigned for their right to return.
In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution stating that the Chagos Islands “form an integral part of the territory of Mauritius.” Negotiations over sovereignty began in 2022 under then-UK foreign secretary James Cleverly, leading to the current agreement.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy defended the deal, noting that it “secures this vital military base for the future” while maintaining UK interests in global security. He emphasized that the agreement guarantees the long-term relationship with Mauritius, a key Commonwealth partner.
Despite these assurances, the deal has met with strong opposition. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, called it a “strategic disaster,” claiming it would weaken the UK and anger the US Tugendhat, who served as a security minister, accused the Foreign Office of negotiating “against Britain’s interest,” criticizing the agreement for leaving the region vulnerable to influence from powers like China.
The final treaty and legal frameworks are still pending completion, with both Mauritius and the UK aiming to formalize the agreement “as quickly as possible.”
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