UK Transfers Control of Indian Ocean Islands to Mauritius While Retaining Military Base Access

Britain has recently declared it will relinquish its claim over the Chagos Islands, transferring sovereignty to Mauritius. However, as described by US President Joe Biden as a “historic agreement,” the UK will maintain its military foothold in the Indian Ocean through a significant partnership with the United States.

The British administration has faced enduring calls to return the islands to Mauritius for decades. Yet, it has clung to control primarily due to the strategic importance of the Diego Garcia base for American military operations in the Indian Ocean and Gulf regions.

According to the UK’s foreign ministry, “For the first time in over half a century, the status of the base will be indisputable and legally fortified.” A joint communiqué from Britain and Mauritius confirmed that the base would now operate under an “initial” lease of 99 years.

President Biden praised the agreement for allowing the continued operation of the Diego Garcia base—the largest of the islands—emphasizing its critical role during conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. This base serves as a hub for US long-range bombers and naval vessels.

Maneesh Gobin, Mauritius’ Foreign Minister, referred to the announcement as “a day to remember” and a “seminal moment” in the evolving relationship between Mauritius and its former colonial ruler, Britain.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed a conversation with Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, both expressing enthusiasm about the newly forged agreement as reported by Downing Street.

The agreement represents a remarkable shift following nearly two years of strenuous negotiations, especially given the historical context of Britain’s previous dismissals of Mauritius’ claims over sovereignty.

At the outset of discussions in early 2023, both nations acknowledged that operations at the Diego Garcia military base would continue regardless of the negotiations’ outcomes.

In 2016, the United Kingdom had extended the US lease on this military installation until 2036. The most recent joint statement noted intentions to finalize a treaty that would secure Diego Garcia’s operational status “well into the next century.” This treaty could also potentially facilitate the return of Chagos islanders, who were forcibly displaced by the UK during the military base’s establishment in the 1970s.

However, with Diego Garcia being the only inhabited island and currently designated as off-limits, the likelihood of actual resettlement remains minimal. Historically, in 1965, the UK made the controversial decision to detach the Chagos Islands from Mauritius, thereby establishing a military base which was then handed over to the United States.

This action led to the eviction of thousands of Chagos islanders, who have since sought justice via various legal claims for compensation in British courts. The joint statement asserts that this accord will “address past injustices” and “support the well-being of the Chagossians,” who continue to live in exile, including in the UK.

Nevertheless, representatives from Chagossian Voices revealed their alarming exclusion from negotiations, claiming they became aware of the agreement only through media reports. “The opinions of Chagossians, the islands’ original inhabitants, have been consistently overlooked, and we demand complete involvement in the treaty’s drafting process,” they stated emphatically.

The pressure on Britain regarding the Chagos archipelago has been intensifying. Since gaining independence in 1968, Mauritius has asserted its claims over the area, now officially designated as the British Indian Ocean Territory, rallying growing global support.

In 2019, the International Court of Justice advised Britain to return these remote islands, during which the UK acknowledged its “shameful” eviction of the islanders but chose to disregard the court’s ruling.

That same year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution urging Britain to “withdraw its colonial administration” of the territory. Without this latest agreement, Britain’s foreign ministry warned that the “long-term, secure operation” of the military base could face significant challenges, including potential legal hurdles imposed by international courts.

“Today’s agreement secures this crucial military base for the future,” asserted Foreign Secretary David Lammy. He also mentioned that the deal would prevent the islands from being misused for “dangerous illegal migration” to the UK.

As part of this deal, the UK announced a “comprehensive financial support package” for Mauritius, which includes annual payments and an infrastructure partnership aimed at fostering cooperation. The agreement claims to resolve “all outstanding issues between the United Kingdom and Mauritius,” paving the way for future collaboration on matters such as environmental protection and irregular migration, as outlined in the joint statement.

Edited by: Ali Musa

Axadle international–Monitoring