Chagos Islands: Mauritius questions agreement with UK
3 min read
The Chagos Islands, a British-controlled archipelago in the Indian Ocean, has long been a subject of controversy due to its strategic significance and the displacement of its indigenous population. Recently, the British government reiterated its commitment to transfer sovereignty over the islands to Mauritius, despite complications arising from a change in leadership in Mauritius. This development follows an agreement reached in October, which both the U.K. and Mauritius had hailed as a landmark deal.
The Chagos Islands, located south of India, consist of more than 60 islands, with the largest, Diego Garcia, housing a vital military base that serves both British and U.S. military forces. The agreement, which was announced under the previous Mauritian government, would allow for the transfer of the archipelago to Mauritius, while keeping the U.K.-U.S. naval base on Diego Garcia under British control for at least the next 99 years. This arrangement was part of a broader deal designed to settle the long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of the islands.
However, after the election of a new government in Mauritius led by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, the deal faced unexpected scrutiny. Ramgoolam expressed concerns that the agreement as it stood would not deliver the benefits that Mauritius could have expected. He told the Mauritian parliament that his government was still willing to negotiate with the U.K., but that they had submitted counterproposals to improve the terms of the agreement. This shift in approach has caused uncertainty, although the British government has remained firm in its commitment to the deal.
In response, Stephen Doughty, the U.K. Foreign Office Minister, voiced confidence that the agreement would be finalized despite the change in leadership. He stated that it was entirely understandable for the new government in Mauritius to take time to review the details of the deal. Doughty emphasized that the agreement was in both parties’ interests, asserting that it was a fair and balanced deal that would protect the base while addressing the needs of Mauritius. He also mentioned that the deal had garnered support from both the U.S. and India, two key international stakeholders in the region.
The deal has not been without its critics. The Conservative opposition in the U.K. has accused the government of conceding sovereignty over a British territory, while some U.S. figures, particularly allies of former President Donald Trump, have raised concerns about the long-term implications for Diego Garcia. British politician Nigel Farage, a Trump supporter, expressed reservations, noting that incoming Trump administration officials were uneasy about the agreement and its potential impact on the future of the military base.
The Chagos Islands have been under British control since 1814, and the dispute over sovereignty dates back decades. In the 1960s and 1970s, the U.K. evicted up to 2,000 indigenous Chagossians from their homes to make way for the construction of the Diego Garcia military base. The U.S. base has played a crucial role in various military operations, from the Vietnam War to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has also been used for controversial activities, including clandestine renditions of terror suspects. Despite legal battles, the Chagossians were never able to return to their homeland, though the new deal could allow them and their descendants to do so, excluding Diego Garcia.
Mauritius, located approximately 2,100 kilometers from the Chagos Islands, has long claimed sovereignty over the archipelago. This claim is rooted in the islands’ historical connection to the country, as Mauritius was granted control of the Chagos Islands by the British in the 19th century. However, following the eviction of the Chagossians, the islands were effectively separated from Mauritius and placed under British control.
The situation remains tense, as the U.K. navigates its relationship with Mauritius while ensuring the continued operation of the strategically vital Diego Garcia base. With the shift in leadership in Mauritius, it is unclear how the negotiations will evolve, but both sides are determined to find a resolution. The deal, once finalized, will have significant implications not only for the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands but also for the geopolitical dynamics in the Indian Ocean region.
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