Preface

The recent agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius marks a significant change in the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. This deal, worth £3.4 billion ($4.6 billion), aims to return these islands to Mauritian control while the UK retains a lease on the critical military base at Diego Garcia. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the necessity of this deal to protect strategic interests and fend off "malign influences."

Lazy bag

The Chagos Islands agreement returns sovereignty to Mauritius amid mixed reactions, while the UK maintains strategic control over Diego Garcia. Key considerations include military and historical implications.

Main Body

The Chagos Islands, officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, are a group of islands located approximately 5,799 miles southeast of the UK and 1,250 miles northeast of Mauritius. Comprising seven atolls and around 60 islands, the Chagos Archipelago has been central to geopolitical dynamics between the UK, US, and Mauritius.

The disputed history dates back to 1965 when Britain detached these islands from Mauritius, still a colony at the time, as part of a deal that saw Mauritius gaining independence. This arrangement later fueled claims that Mauritius was coerced into ceding these islands. Britain's purchase of the archipelago for £3 million did not quell the contention.

During the late 1960s, the UK invited the United States to build a military base on Diego Garcia, resulting in the forced displacement of the Chagossian inhabitants. Many displaced Chagossians resettled in locales such as Mauritius, the Seychelles, and predominantly in the UK town of Crawley, West Sussex.

The new agreement hands back sovereignty to Mauritius while leasing Diego Garcia for 99 years. The rental agreement comes with a substantial yearly cost of £101 million for the UK. Initial payments will be £165 million per year for the first three years, decreasing to £120 million annually for the subsequent decade, indexed to inflation thereafter.

While members of the Five Eyes alliance, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, have approved this arrangement, Chagossian communities have expressed mixed emotions, with some opposing relinquishing ties to their ancestral land.

Prominent opposition voices, such as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, argue that the deal weakens the UK's geopolitical standing, making it more vulnerable to powers like China. Meanwhile, Mauritian leaders, such as Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, view the agreement as a culmination of decolonization and a win for national sovereignty.

The agreement's legal challenges, notably by Chagossians like Bernadette Dugasse, emphasize ongoing tensions. Although a UK High Court injunction temporarily stalled the agreement, the court later dismissed the challenge, paving the way for the deal's implementation.

Diego Garcia's strategic military importance stems from its location in the Indian Ocean, hosting joint UK-US operations. Over the years, it has played a pivotal role in missions such as those during the "war on terror."

Despite criticism, UK Defense Secretary John Healey asserts that maintaining base operations was critical, as prior legal vulnerabilities threatened its viability. This view aligns with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's sentiment that the deal is essential for regional and global stability.

For many Chagossians, the deal brings closure to a 60-year struggle, with some celebrating the prospect of returning to their homeland. Yet, others, like Bernadette Dugasse, feel an enduring displacement that transcends national boundaries.

Key Insights Table