Africa-Press – Mauritius. The United Kingdom has signed an agreement to return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, while retaining a joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Thursday. This follows a British court ruling paving the way for the agreement. Starmer emphasized the base’s critical role in UK defense and intelligence, and therefore British national security.
Mauritian politician Paul Bérenger highlighted a key clause of the treaty, stating that “Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago in its entirety, including Diego Garcia.” He clarified that Britain is not returning the islands but acknowledging Mauritius’ sovereignty over the entire Chagos Archipelago.
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam also mentioned a £40 million trust fund for the Chagossian people, those displaced from the islands decades ago. The inclusion of this fund addresses a key aspect of the long-standing dispute, acknowledging the human cost of past actions.
The agreement concludes a long-running dispute over the Chagos Islands. The deal balances the UK’s strategic interests with its commitment to decolonization, addressing years of international pressure and legal challenges.
The agreement’s long-term implications remain to be seen, particularly concerning the future of the joint military base and the ongoing resettlement of Chagossians. The financial compensation for the Chagossian community represents a significant step towards reconciliation.
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