What is the Chagos Islands deal between UK and Mauritius? | BBC News

Chaos Islands Sovereignty Deal: A Detailed Summary

Key Concepts:

• Chagos Islands/British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)
• Diego Garcia US Military Base
• Mauritius Sovereignty Claim
• Chagosian Expulsion and Resettlement
• Strategic Importance in the Indian Ocean
• UK-US Relations
• China's Influence

Historical Context and Sovereignty Dispute

The Chaos Islands, located in the Indian Ocean, have been under UK control for decades and host a secretive US military base on Diego Garcia. The islands were part of Mauritius when it was a British colony, but the UK detached them before Mauritius gained independence in the late 1960s, renaming them the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). In 1965, the UK paid Mauritius £3 million, but Mauritius later argued this agreement was coerced. A 1966 Foreign Office memo revealed the UK's ambition to retain the islands with "no indigenous population except seagulls."

Forced Expulsion of Chagosians

In 1967, Britain began the forced removal of over a thousand Chagosians, sending them to the Seychelles, Mauritius, and the UK. These expulsions have been condemned as a crime against humanity. Despite public expressions of regret, leaked documents from 2009 revealed a UK official stating, "We do not regret the removal of the population since removal was necessary for the British Indian Ocean Territory to fulfill its strategic purpose."

Diego Garcia and its Strategic Importance

The "strategic purpose" refers primarily to Diego Garcia, which the UK leased to the US in 1966 for a military base. The base accommodates up to 5,000 personnel and is crucial due to its location. It provides the UK and US with a base in a region where they lack alternatives, offering airfield, naval facilities, and a deep-water harbor. The nearest British military base is in Oman (3,500 km away), and the nearest US base is in Bahrain (5,000 km away).

International Pressure and Legal Challenges

The UK's actions on Diego Garcia have faced sustained pressure. In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) deemed Britain's position unlawful. The UK admitted its expulsion and treatment of Chagosians was "shameful and wrong." The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of the UK ceding sovereignty to Mauritius.

The New Deal: Sovereignty and Lease Agreement

In 2022, the UK initiated talks about ceding control of the islands. The new deal involves:

1. UK ceding sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius.
2. A resettlement program for Chagosians to all islands except Diego Garcia.
3. A fund for expelled Chagosians.
4. The UK taking a 99-year lease over Diego Garcia for £101 million per year.

Criticisms and Concerns

The deal has faced criticism:

• Some argue against paying Mauritius for surrendering British territory.
• Concerns have been raised about the potential financial burden on British taxpayers.
• Some displaced Chagosians and their descendants claim they haven't been properly consulted. One Chagosian stated, "Every time we made a request to be heard we have been excluded."
• An injunction was brought by Chagosian campaigners seeking the right to return to live on all islands, including Diego Garcia.

Geopolitical Implications and China's Influence

The UK argues that completing the deal is crucial to prevent China or other nations from establishing bases on the outer islands. The US also supports the deal, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a "historic agreement." The deal aims to secure the UK and US military presence in the region amidst growing global competition.

Conclusion

The Chaos Islands sovereignty deal is a significant moment, extending US and UK military involvement on Diego Garcia while also extending the debate about the islands' past and future. It represents a complex negotiation balancing strategic interests, historical injustices, and the rights of the Chagosian people. While the deal is done, the voices of all stakeholders, particularly the Chagosians, remain crucial in shaping the islands' future.