Chagos: UK ready to cede sovereignty of islands to Mauritius, a historic victory

After decades of disputes, the issue of the Chagos Islands, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean claimed by Mauritius, has reached a turning point. The United Kingdom, long opposed to any transfer of sovereignty, has announced its intention to cede the archipelago to Mauritius. This decision marks the end of a geopolitical dispute dating back to the 1960s, when the Chagossians were expelled to make way for the construction of a US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago.

A long-standing dispute

The conflict over the Chagos Islands has its roots in the 1960s, when the United Kingdom, then in the midst of decolonisation, detached the archipelago from Mauritius, before leasing it to the United States for the construction of a strategic military base on Diego Garcia. This detachment was followed by the forced expulsion of several thousand Chagossians, who were moved to Mauritius, the Seychelles and the United Kingdom. For decades, these exiles fought for their right to return and for the restitution of sovereignty to Mauritius, a fight supported by the United Nations and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

In 2019, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion in favour of Mauritius, declaring the British occupation illegal and calling for the complete decolonisation of the archipelago. Although the opinion was not legally binding, it increased international pressure on the UK.

A turning point for the archipelago

The UK’s move therefore marks a major victory for Mauritius and the Chagossians. For many, it is a belated recognition of the historical injustice committed against these inhabitants, whose rights have been flouted for more than half a century. However, the transfer of sovereignty could take several months, with complex negotiations ahead, notably on the future of the American military base on Diego Garcia, a major strategic issue for the United States in the region.

The military base is essential to US operations in South Asia and the Middle East, and any change in the legal status of the islands could lead to sensitive diplomatic adjustments. Mauritius has nevertheless already expressed its willingness to maintain the agreement with the United States regarding the use of the base.

A new era for the Chagossians?

While details of the restitution of the archipelago are yet to be finalised, exiled Chagossians, particularly those living in Mauritius and the UK, are hopeful that this decision will lead to recognition of their right to return. So far, many political promises regarding their repatriation and resettlement have not been followed through. The next step will be crucial to ensure that these people, who were forcibly displaced, can return to their ancestral lands.

Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth welcomed the historic decision, seeing it as an end to a colonial injustice. Many observers believe that the decision could also inspire similar demands in Africa and around the world, where questions of post-colonial sovereignty remain relevant.

British colonial legacy questioned again

The UK’s withdrawal from the Chagos is not only a victory for Mauritius, but also a powerful symbol of the challenge to the vestiges of British colonialism. The Chagos Islands, like other British-controlled overseas territories, are symbols of colonial practices inherited from the 19th and early 20th centuries. This gesture is part of a broader movement to redress historical injustices, although many criticise the slow pace of this process and the fact that it has taken so many decades to get to this point.

The debate over the Chagos Islands is also a reminder of the central role that strategic military bases play in modern geopolitics. Even after the ceding of sovereignty, the presence of Diego Garcia under US military control will remain a major geopolitical issue, influencing relations between the major powers in the Indian Ocean region.