The British government has finalized the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, overcoming a last-minute legal challenge and ongoing criticism from political allies and security analysts.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the agreement on Thursday, confirming that Mauritius will assume control of the islands while the UK retains the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia under a new leasing arrangement. This move effectively ends Britain's last colonial hold in Africa.
Key Details of the Agreement
Under the terms of the deal, Britain will pay Mauritius £101 million annually for 34 years, amounting to a total of £3.4 billion. The agreement ensures the continued operation of Diego Garcia, a crucial military base leased to the United States, safeguarding its strategic importance in the Indian Ocean.
The decision comes after a UK High Court judge temporarily blocked the transfer following a human rights challenge by two Chagossian women living in Britain. The women argued that the agreement ignored the rights and voices of the displaced Chagossian community, many of whom have been exiled for decades.
Strategic and Political Controversy
The transfer has drawn sharp criticism over its potential implications for regional security. Critics, including former UK Defence Minister Grant Shapps, warn that Mauritius’ economic ties with China could jeopardize the security of the US-UK base.
“This is a high-risk move,” Shapps said, adding that China could exploit the territory to expand its influence and gather intelligence near the base.
Starmer defended the agreement, framing it as a necessary response to both legal and geopolitical pressures.
“If we didn’t act, the legal and strategic consequences would be far worse,” Starmer stated. “Without this deal, the UK could face international legal rulings that might force us to cede control entirely, potentially allowing adversaries to establish a presence in the region.”
Historical Context
The Chagos Archipelago has been under British control since 1814. In 1965, the UK separated the islands from Mauritius before granting the latter its independence. Over 2,000 Chagossians were forcibly removed from the islands to make way for the Diego Garcia base, sparking decades of legal and human rights disputes.
In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that Britain should return the islands to Mauritius to complete the process of decolonization. The UN General Assembly endorsed this ruling overwhelmingly, amplifying international pressure on the UK to act.
Voices of the Chagossian Community
The deal has reignited frustrations among the Chagossian diaspora, who argue that their rights have been overlooked.
“We are British citizens, but our voices don’t seem to matter,” said Bertrice Pompe, one of the women who challenged the deal. “We’ve been fighting for recognition and justice for 60 years. Handing the islands to Mauritius doesn’t address our needs or our history.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the controversy, Starmer emphasized the necessity of the deal for maintaining the UK’s strategic alliances and ensuring the security of Diego Garcia. He also pledged to work with Mauritius to address the concerns of the Chagossian community.
As Britain closes this chapter of its colonial history, questions remain about the broader implications for UK security, Chagossian rights, and regional stability in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific.
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