UK Signs Deal to Return Chagos Islands to Mauritius

Chagos Islands —(Map)

Last Thursday, the United Kingdom (UK) signed an agreement which will return control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. In exchange, the UK will be able to continue using the largest island as a military base for the next 99 years.

For Britain, the Chagos Islands have long provided an important military and navy base in the Indian Ocean. That was important to Britain in the past for protecting its colonies and keeping the seas safe for its ships. Even in more modern times, the islands remain an important military base.

In 1965, the UK paid Mauritius £3 million, and took control of the Chagos Islands, calling the area British Indian Ocean Territory. In 1968, Mauritius became its own country, independent of the UK. But the UK held onto the Chagos Islands.

The UK rented out the largest island, Diego Garcia, to the United States to build a military and navy base. The island is used as a base by both countries.

To make room for the base, up to 2,000 “Chagossians” – people living on Diego Garcia and other Chagos Islands – were forced to leave. Many were sent to Mauritius or Seychelles. Some were allowed to become UK citizens.

For years, Mauritius has complained that the UK had no right to hold on to the Chagos Islands. In 2019, the International Court of Justice agreed with Mauritius. So did the United Nations General Assembly.

The UK did not give the islands back immediately, but it did begin talks with Mauritius to try to reach a deal.

The agreement will officially give control of the islands to Mauritius. Mauritius will let the UK use Diego Garcia as a military base for the next 99 years, but the UK will have to pay roughly $136 million (£101 million) per year. Above, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to reporters after signing the deal last Thursday.

The agreement signed last Thursday will officially give control of the islands to Mauritius. Mauritius will continue to let the UK use Diego Garcia as a military base for the next 99 years, but the UK will have to pay roughly $136 million (£101 million) per year.

The deal allows Mauritius to bring people to the other Chagos Islands, but no other armed forces will be allowed in the islands.

Many people see the deal as a good solution to very old problem. Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam called it a “great victory”. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the deal will keep the UK safe while avoiding a court case that it couldn’t have won.

The deal upset many Chagossians, even though it sets aside some money to help them. Chagossians who want to go home now feel like that will never happen, since the islands will be controlled by Mauritius. Above, a rally outside the High Court in London. Some Chagossians had hoped to block the deal in court.

But not everyone is happy about the deal. The deal was started under a UK government led by the Conservative Party, but Conservatives are now against the deal. They say the UK is giving up territory when it doesn’t have to. Others are concerned because Mauritius has strong connections with China, which isn’t a UK ally.

The deal also upset many Chagossians, even though it sets aside some money to help them. Chagossians who want to go home now feel like that will never happen, since the islands will be controlled by Mauritius.

The agreement will not become official until it is approved by the parliaments of both countries.