UK Transfers Chagos Islands Sovereignty to Mauritius in £101 m-a-Year Agreement

Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Center-Leaning

Why: The article presents facts from multiple sides—government, opposition, and community voices—without taking a strong stance.

Number 10, OGL 3 <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3>, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The United Kingdom has agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. In return, the UK will maintain a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, a key military base shared with the United States. The deal includes annual payments to Mauritius averaging £101 million, totaling around £3.4 billion over the lease term. The agreement must still be ratified by both the British and Mauritian parliaments.

Strategic and Financial Details

The UK and US will continue operating the military facility on Diego Garcia for 99 years, with an option for a 40-year extension. The UK will pay Mauritius £101 million annually, adjusted for inflation. A 24-mile buffer zone around Diego Garcia will be enforced, with the UK having the final say on any foreign military or civilian use of the archipelago. The UK also retains veto powers over access to any outer islands.

Political Responses

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended the deal, calling it a strategic move to prevent a possible Chinese military presence on the islands. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch labeled it “an act of national self-harm,” pointing to Mauritius’s ties with China. Nigel Farage of Reform UK said the agreement puts British national interests at risk.

Chagossian Community Reaction

Two Chagossian women, born on Diego Garcia, filed a legal challenge to stop the deal, arguing that the UK failed to consult with the community. Their case was dismissed by the High Court. Public opinion within the Chagossian community is divided—some view the transfer as a chance to return home, while others worry about being sidelined in future decisions.

Historical Context

In 1965, the UK purchased the Chagos Islands from Mauritius for £3 million when Mauritius was still under British colonial rule. The islands were then leased to the US, which built a major military base on Diego Garcia. This led to the forced displacement of the Chagossian people. Over the years, international pressure—including from the United Nations—has mounted on the UK to return the territory to Mauritius.

International Reactions

Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam called the agreement a historic victory and emphasized the need to uphold the rights of displaced Chagossians. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the deal, highlighting its importance in maintaining regional security and military cooperation. This handover marks a major shift in colonial-era geopolitics, with long-term implications for strategic defense and displaced populations.