UK to Return Chagos Islands to Mauritius After Long Dispute
The United Kingdom will return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after a long-standing dispute over sovereignty. The islands have been under British authority for more than fifty years, but a new treaty recognizes Mauritian control while keeping the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. The agreement allows for the resettlement of displaced Chagossians and provides financial support to Mauritius.
The UK has agreed to return ownership of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, signaling the end of a protracted territorial dispute.
According to a joint statement by the UK and Mauritius, British officials will formally recognize Mauritian sovereignty over the islands, while Diego Garcia will remain under UK control to ensure the continued operation of a key joint military base with the United States.
The Chagos Islands were separated from Mauritius in 1965, prior to its independence in 1968, and the largest island, Diego Garcia, was loaned to the US for military purposes.
A 2019 ruling by the International Court of Justice indicated that the UK's administration of the Chagos was a 'wrongful act.' Although the UK had initially contested the ruling, stating its sovereignty since 1814, negotiations began in 2022 led by then-Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
The new treaty will facilitate Chagossian resettlement on the islands and include financial support for Mauritius.
The agreement has faced criticism from some British opposition figures wary of potential geopolitical consequences, yet it was welcomed by US President Joe Biden.
According to a joint statement by the UK and Mauritius, British officials will formally recognize Mauritian sovereignty over the islands, while Diego Garcia will remain under UK control to ensure the continued operation of a key joint military base with the United States.
The Chagos Islands were separated from Mauritius in 1965, prior to its independence in 1968, and the largest island, Diego Garcia, was loaned to the US for military purposes.
A 2019 ruling by the International Court of Justice indicated that the UK's administration of the Chagos was a 'wrongful act.' Although the UK had initially contested the ruling, stating its sovereignty since 1814, negotiations began in 2022 led by then-Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
The new treaty will facilitate Chagossian resettlement on the islands and include financial support for Mauritius.
The agreement has faced criticism from some British opposition figures wary of potential geopolitical consequences, yet it was welcomed by US President Joe Biden.
