UK Signs Agreement on Chagos Islands with Mauritius

In a significant development, the UK finalized a sovereignty agreement concerning Mauritius on Thursday, specifically addressing the disputed Chagos Islands. The UK government emphasized that this decision will safeguard the future of military bases crucial for its security, particularly those operated by the US.

The Chagos archipelago, particularly Diego Garcia—the largest island—serves as a vital site for naval and bomber operations.

According to the agreement, the UK will compensate Mauritius with an average of £101 million (approximately $136 million) annually, while leasing the base for a minimum of 99 years.

Prime Minister Kiel Starmer highlighted the importance of these US-operated bases for Britain’s counterterrorism efforts and intelligence gathering, stating that they are foundational to national safety and security.

“By securing this agreement now on our own terms, we aim to protect against external influences that may arise in the future, ensuring safety for generations,” Starmer mentioned at a military headquarters in Northwood, close to London.

However, critics of the deal contend that relinquishing islands that have belonged to Britain for two centuries might invite interference from foreign powers, such as Russia and China.

James Cartridge, the Conservative defense spokesperson, referred to the arrangement as a “complete and terrible surrender” of British territory, arguing it betrays national interests.

This agreement faced pushback from some former residents of the islands, who were exiled decades ago to facilitate the establishment of the military base.

The signing of the agreement was originally set to be conducted by Preferential Party leader Nabin Ramgoorum during a virtual event. However, this was postponed for several hours due to a last-minute injunction obtained by two Chagosian activists, though it was subsequently lifted.

Former residents have struggled for years in UK courts over their right to return. Chagos-born individuals, like Bernadette Dugas and Batris Pompe, expressed concerns that Mauritius’s governance might complicate their chances of going back to their homeland.

The agreement outlines the establishment of a trust fund for the Chagosians and states that “Mauritius can freely implement resettlement programs,” although returning residents are not mandated to do so.

Pompe described the day as “very sad,” but she remains committed to the cause. “We’ve been fighting for our rights for 60 years,” she stated outside the High Court. “Mauritius isn’t going to hand it over to us.”

The Chagos Islands represent one of the last vestiges of the British Empire, having been under British control since 1814. The UK severed the islands from Mauritius, then a British colony, in 1965, shortly before Mauritius achieved independence.

During the 1960s and 1970s, approximately 2,000 residents were forcibly removed to permit the establishment of the Diego Garcia military base. This base has been integral in US military operations from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan, hosting facilities for nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers and playing a key role in intelligence collection.

Mauritius has persistently contested Britain’s claims over the archipelago, with both the United Nations and its Supreme Court urging for the return of the islands. The International Court of Justice, in a non-binding ruling in 2019, stated that the UK had unlawfully detached Chagos from Mauritius during the decolonization process in the late 1960s.

“We had to take action now, as the base was under threat,” remarked the Presidium, anticipating that Mauritius might approach the UK courts within weeks, arguing that the UK faces “no real prospects for success.”

The UK’s Ministry of Defense underlined that the agreement includes robust protections, such as a 24-mile exclusion zone around Diego Garcia, restrictions on broader island development, and a ban on foreign military presence.

Negotiations concerning the transfer began in 2022 under the previous Conservative government but resumed after the election of the Star Labour Party in July. Initially criticized in October, the agreement faced delays due to changes in the Mauritian government regarding leasing terms.

Consultations with President Trump’s administration further postponed discussions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the agreement, intending to “ensure long-term stability and effective operations of critical regional and global security assets at Diego Garcia Base.”