UK to Return Chagos Islands to Mauritius

The United Kingdom recently returned the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius.

Key-details of the Agreement

• This agreement resolves a long-standing dispute that dates back over 50 years, primarily surrounding the forced removal of the indigenous Chagossian population and the establishment of a crucial U.S. military base on Diego Garcia.
• The agreement allows Mauritius to implement a resettlement program for the Chagossians, supported financially by the UK.
• Operations at the Diego Garcia military base will continue for at least the next 99 years, with the UK providing annual payments and financial support to ensure the base's effective operation.
  • The U.S. military base on Diego Garcia is crucial for military operations in Africa, West Asia, and Southeast Asia. It serves as a staging ground for naval and air operations, making it a key asset in U.S. military strategy.
• The agreement aims to maintain regional security while addressing historical grievances.

About Chagos Archipelago

• The Chagos Archipelago is located in the Indian Ocean, about 1,000 miles south of India.
• It is an isolated atoll of tiny islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean, between Africa and Western Australia.
• The chain includes the Salomon Islands, Peros Banhos, Nelson's Island, Three Brothers Islands, Eagle Islands, Danger Island, the Egmont Islands and Diego Garcia, a strategically important US military base.
  • Diego Garcia is the largest island of the Chagos cluster and is also located on major international trade routes.
• Historical Background:
  • The islands were part of Mauritius until the UK separated them in the 1960s during Mauritius’s path to independence.
  • Prior to their eviction, the Chagossians lived on the islands for generations, relying on fishing and small-scale agriculture.
• Forced Eviction: The UK and U.S. established a military base on Diego Garcia in the 1970s, leading to the forced removal of over 1,000 Chagossians. The eviction process involved relocation to Mauritius and the Seychelles.
• Legal and Diplomatic Developments:
  • ICJ Ruling (2019): The International Court of Justice ruled against the UK’s control over the islands, stating that the forced evacuation was unlawful. It called for the UK to withdraw its presence.
  • UN Resolution: A UN General Assembly resolution demanding the UK’s withdrawal received support from 116 countries, indicating broad international condemnation of the UK’s actions.