London: Britain has agreed to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, concluding a long-standing dispute over the UK’s last African colony. The decision follows a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which deemed the UK’s separation of the Chagos archipelago from Mauritius in the 1960s unlawful.
The handover marks the end of over five decades of UK control of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), which was retained after Mauritius gained independence in 1968. During the 1960s and 1970s, the UK forcibly expelled the Chagossians, a move that has since been labeled a crime against humanity. The displaced population was relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles to make way for a US-UK military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago.
Negotiations between the UK and Mauritius began in 2022, spanning 13 rounds before the two nations arrived at a consensus. This diplomatic breakthrough comes after multiple international bodies, including the ICJ, the United Nations General Assembly, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, all supported Mauritius’ claim to the islands.
While the UK had initially resisted these rulings, dismissing them as “advisory opinions,” it has now agreed to comply with the court’s decisions. However, as part of the treaty, Britain will retain control of the strategic military base on Diego Garcia, which it operates jointly with the United States. The base is viewed as critical to global security, with both UK and US officials emphasizing its importance.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy praised the deal, highlighting that it ensures the future operations of the military base while bolstering diplomatic ties with Mauritius. He emphasized that both the UK and Mauritius stand to benefit from the resolution of this long-standing issue.
US President Joe Biden echoed similar sentiments, welcoming the agreement as a model for addressing historical conflicts. He underscored the strategic importance of the Diego Garcia base, stating that it would remain crucial for maintaining national, regional, and global security for years to come.
The Chagos Islands have been under British control since 1814, following the Napoleonic Wars. In 1965, the UK separated the islands from Mauritius before the latter gained independence, creating the BIOT.
In a statement, India lauded the resolution, calling it a crucial step in completing the decolonization of Mauritius. “We welcome the agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, including Diego Garcia. This significant understanding completes the decolonisation of Mauritius,” the statement read.
India has consistently supported Mauritius’ claim over the Chagos Islands and sees the agreement as a reaffirmation of its principles of decolonization and respect for sovereignty. The resolution also strengthens the deep-rooted ties between India and Mauritius, which share historical and cultural connections.
