UK to Cede Chagos Islands to Mauritius in Historic Agreement

The United Kingdom has announced its decision to cede control over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in what has been termed a “historic political agreement.” This move settles the long-contested sovereignty of Britain’s last overseas territory in Africa and secures the future operations of the Diego Garcia military base.

British Foreign Minister David Lammy confirmed the deal, stating that it resolves the territorial dispute between the UK and Mauritius. Mauritian officials have long contested the UK’s control over the archipelago, which includes 58 islands located approximately 500 kilometers south of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.

The joint statement released by both governments emphasized the support and assistance from the United States and India in reaching this agreement. Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago, has been a strategically significant military base for the US and UK.

The Chagos Islands were ceded to Britain by France in 1814 and were later included in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) formed in 1965. After Mauritius gained independence in 1968, the Chagos Islands remained under British control, leading to ongoing legal and diplomatic disputes.

The strategic importance of Diego Garcia has been highlighted by its role in global military operations, including during the Gulf War and post-9/11 conflicts. US President Joe Biden remarked on Thursday about the base’s critical role in national and global security.

Mauritius has persistently asserted that the UK’s administration of Chagos is illegal, citing support from the United Nations. In 2017, the UN General Assembly referred the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which issued an advisory opinion in favor of Mauritius in 2019.

The recent agreement includes provisions that allow for the resettlement of Chagossians on the islands, except Diego Garcia, along with the establishment of a trust fund for the benefit of the displaced inhabitants.

Despite the cession of sovereignty, the Diego Garcia military base will continue to operate under UK and US administration for an initial period of 99 years, with the UK maintaining specific sovereign rights over the island.

The agreement is seen as a reaffirmation of Western commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, amid concerns that unresolved issues might push Mauritius to seek alignments with other global powers, such as China.

India, with its historical connection to Mauritius, has supported the latter’s claims over the Chagos Islands. India’s stance is also motivated by the geopolitical dynamics of the Indian Ocean, where China’s influence has been increasingly prominent.