Chagos Islands Diego Garcia Deal Signed Between UK and Mauritius
The UK's decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is a significant development in the region, with implications for global security and the rights of indigenous peoples. The agreement provides a framework for cooperation between the UK, Mauritius, and the US, and paves the way for the return of displaced Chagossians to their homeland.
Britain has signed an agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, with the exception of Diego Garcia, which will remain under British control, in a deal worth £101 million per year for at least 99 years.
The agreement, finalized after a court injunction was lifted, includes a £40m trust fund for Chagossians, the indigenous people who were forcibly removed from the islands in the 1960s, as well as a £45m annual grant for 25 years to support Mauritian development. The UK will also pay an initial £165m in the first three years, with payments indexed to inflation thereafter.
The deal has been met with jubilation in Mauritius, where Chagossians gathered to celebrate the end of a long-standing dispute over the islands' sovereignty. The UK's Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has defended the deal, saying it is in the UK's national interest, while critics have labeled it an "abject surrender". The agreement also includes a Strategic Partnership Framework between the UK and Mauritius, which aims to promote mutual respect and shared development goals.
The US has welcomed the agreement between the UK and Mauritius on the future of the Chagos Archipelago, specifically the British Indian Ocean Territory. The US commends both countries for their leadership and commitment to keep Diego Garcia operational, a critical asset for regional and global security. The US remains responsible for operating the US Naval Support Facility on Diego Garcia, which supports forward-deployed operational forces and regional security.
The agreement marks a major victory for Mauritius, which has long sought to regain control over the islands. The deal is expected to be approved by Britain's Parliament, and a resettlement fund will be created to help displaced Chagossians and their descendants return to their homeland, excluding Diego Garcia.