By Redaction ARPS Media with AP
The British government has formally agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, successfully lifting a last-minute injunction that had delayed the process.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted the significance of this decision to maintain the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia, which is essential for British defense needs. As part of the agreement, the UK will pay Mauritius £101 million annually to lease the base for a minimum of 99 years.
The Chagos Islands, under British control since 1814, were separated from Mauritius in 1965, resulting in the eviction of approximately 2,000 Chagossians for military purposes.
While the deal’s specifics remain vague, it includes a resettlement fund for the displaced islanders. This transfer comes in response to calls from the United Nations and the International Court of Justice for the UK to return the islands to Mauritius amid growing concerns about security and reliance on Chinese imports. Negotiations regarding the transfer began in 2022.
