The United Kingdom has agreed to cede sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, a remote but geopolitically significant cluster in the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius. This historic decision comes after years of intense negotiations between the two nations.
A key part of the agreement is the transfer of Diego Garcia, a tropical atoll that hosts a major US military base, used for naval operations and long-range bomber deployments. While the base will remain under US-UK control, the broader Chagos archipelago will return to Mauritian oversight.
The agreement was announced in a joint statement by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth, signaling an end to decades of strained diplomatic discussions. Both leaders highlighted their commitment to swiftly finalizing a treaty, stating that the deal exemplifies their nations’ dedication to resolving disputes peacefully and upholding the rule of law.
“This is a seminal moment in our relationship and a demonstration of our enduring commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and the rule of law,” the statement read.
The Diego Garcia base will continue to operate for a preliminary period of 99 years, ensuring its crucial role in regional and global security. The treaty will also address the historical grievances of the Chagossian people, a displaced community whose ancestors were evicted to make way for the military base. Mauritius will receive financial aid and infrastructure support as part of the agreement, and a resettlement program will allow Chagossians to return to other parts of the archipelago, though not to Diego Garcia itself.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the development, calling it a “historic agreement” and praising the diplomatic resolution of longstanding challenges. He emphasized that the base on Diego Garcia remains vital to national and international security.
However, not everyone views the deal favorably. Frankie Bontemps, a second-generation Chagossian living in the UK, expressed feelings of anger and betrayal, claiming that the Chagossians were excluded from the negotiations. He called for the full inclusion of his community in drafting the treaty, arguing that their voices had been ignored.
The UK’s decision to relinquish the islands follows growing diplomatic pressure, with the United Nations General Assembly and International Court of Justice both ruling overwhelmingly in favor of Mauritius’ claim. The Mauritian government has long maintained that the Chagos Islands were unlawfully separated from its territory when it gained independence from the UK in 1968.
