The United Kingdom has agreed to return control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, marking the end of a lengthy and controversial dispute over Britain’s last African colony. The announcement came after 13 rounds of negotiations that began in 2022, following rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the UN General Assembly that recognized Mauritius’ sovereignty over the islands.
The Chagos archipelago was separated from Mauritius by the UK before Mauritius gained independence in 1968, forming a new colony called the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). This separation was ruled unlawful by international bodies, but the UK had previously dismissed these judgments, claiming they were non-binding.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the UK and the US forcibly expelled around 1,500 to 2,000 Chagossians to establish a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the chain. The islanders were displaced not only from Diego Garcia but also from Peros Banhos and Salomon.
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Under the new agreement, the UK will maintain control of the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. However, Chagossians have expressed frustration at being excluded from the negotiations, with many feeling powerless in decisions regarding their homeland’s future. Community groups like Chagossian Voices have demanded full inclusion in the drafting of the treaty.
Despite this agreement, tensions remain over the lack of consultation with the displaced islanders, who seek recognition and a say in the future of the archipelago.
The United Kingdom has agreed to return control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, marking the end of a lengthy and controversial dispute over Britain’s last African colony. The announcement came after 13 rounds of negotiations that began in 2022, following rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the UN General Assembly that recognized Mauritius’ sovereignty over the islands.
The Chagos archipelago was separated from Mauritius by the UK before Mauritius gained independence in 1968, forming a new colony called the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). This separation was ruled unlawful by international bodies, but the UK had previously dismissed these judgments, claiming they were non-binding.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the UK and the US forcibly expelled around 1,500 to 2,000 Chagossians to establish a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the chain. The islanders were displaced not only from Diego Garcia but also from Peros Banhos and Salomon.
Under the new agreement, the UK will maintain control of the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. However, Chagossians have expressed frustration at being excluded from the negotiations, with many feeling powerless in decisions regarding their homeland’s future. Community groups like Chagossian Voices have demanded full inclusion in the drafting of the treaty.
Despite this agreement, tensions remain over the lack of consultation with the displaced islanders, who seek recognition and a say in the future of the archipelago.
