The United Kingdom has reached an agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while ensuring the continuation of a vital UK-US military installation on Diego Garcia. This decision, announced on October 3, 2024, marks a significant shift in the long-standing dispute over the archipelago's ownership.
The Chagos Archipelago, comprising seven atolls and over 60 tropical islands, has been a subject of international controversy for decades. David Lammy, the British Foreign Secretary, emphasized the importance of this agreement in safeguarding global security and maintaining the UK's relationship with Mauritius, a fellow Commonwealth member.
"Today's agreement secures this vital military base for the future. It will strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the U.K., as well as guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a close Commonwealth partner."
The deal has garnered support from international partners, including the United States, which jointly operates the military facility on Diego Garcia. This base, established in 1966, has played a crucial role in regional security operations.
The Chagos Islands have a complex history dating back to their discovery by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century. France colonized the archipelago in the 18th century before ceding it to Britain in 1814. The islands were separated from Mauritius in 1965, just three years before Mauritian independence, leading to decades of legal and diplomatic disputes.
In 1971, the UK forcibly removed approximately 2,000 Chagossians to make way for the military base, a decision that has been widely criticized. The United Nations General Assembly voted in 2019 for Britain to return the islands to Mauritius, and the International Court of Justice ruled that the UK's detention of the islands was unlawful.
The Chagos Marine Protected Area, established in 2010, is one of the world's largest marine reserves, highlighting the ecological significance of the region. The archipelago's unique coral reefs and diverse marine life make it an area of great environmental importance.
This agreement addresses several key issues, including the prevention of illegal migration routes through the Indian Ocean and the strengthening of the UK's role in global security. It also resolves a long-standing point of contention between the UK and Mauritius, potentially improving diplomatic relations within the Commonwealth.
The future of the Chagossian people, who have been fighting for the right to return to their homeland for decades, remains an important consideration in this transition of sovereignty. As the US lease on Diego Garcia is set to expire in 2036, this agreement may also have implications for future military arrangements in the region.
This diplomatic resolution marks a significant moment in the history of the Chagos Islands, potentially setting a precedent for resolving similar territorial disputes worldwide.