UK to return Chagos Islands to Mauritius

Under the terms of the deal announced by the two governments, Mauritius will assume sovereignty over the archipelago, but the United States and the United Kingdom will continue to operate a strategically valuable military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of more than 55 islands in the Chagos.

The Chagos Archipelago is a chain of coral islands located in a remote area of the Indian Ocean, 500 km from the nearest landmass, the Maldives. Photo: UPSC

"The UK will agree that Mauritius has sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said in a statement.

Both countries are committed to the “long-term, safe and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia,” the statement noted. Mauritius has committed to guarantee the operation of the base for an initial period of 99 years.

Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago, is home to a major military base used by Britain and the United States. Photo: New York Times

In the 1960s, the United Kingdom granted independence to Mauritius but separated the Chagos archipelago and expelled more than 1,000 residents whose ancestors were brought there as slaves by the French from Africa and India in the early 18th century.

Formal negotiations between the UK and Mauritius over Chagos are set to begin in 2022, as African countries begin to pressure the UK to hand over sovereignty. Some have described Chagos as “Britain’s last colony in Africa”.

US President Joe Biden also welcomed the "historic agreement" between the UK and Mauritius, saying it was "a clear demonstration that through diplomacy and partnership, nations can overcome longstanding historical challenges to achieve peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes".

Nguyen Khanh (according to New York Times, BBC)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/vuong-quoc-anh-se-tra-quan-dao-chagos-cho-mauritius-cham-dut-nhieu-thap-ky-tranh-chap-post315235.html