UK signs £3.4bn Chagos deal with Mauritius
Britain has finalized a significant agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following a London judge's decision to lift a last-minute injunction that threatened the deal. This multi billion-pound agreement allows the UK to maintain control over the strategically vital U.S.-UK air base on Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease, which is crucial for national and regional security.
The deal, valued at approximately £3.4 billion, includes annual payments averaging £101 million to Mauritius and aims to resolve long-standing disputes regarding the archipelago's status. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of the base for national security, stating that the agreement ensures its operation well into the next century while preventing foreign military presence from nations like China and Russia.
However, the agreement has faced criticism from various groups. Bertrice Pompe, a British national born in the Chagos Islands, had previously secured an interim injunction against the deal, arguing that it excluded Chagossians from the decision-making process. Despite her efforts, the injunction was lifted, and Pompe, along with other Chagossians, vowed to continue their fight against the agreement. Many Chagossians were forcibly removed from the islands over 50 years ago, and they express dissatisfaction over the lack of guarantees for their right to return, despite the establishment of a £40 million trust fund for their benefit.
Critics also argue that the deal compromises national sovereignty and raises concerns about the financial burden on UK taxpayers. The agreement follows international pressure, including a 2019 International Court of Justice opinion condemning Britain's retention of the territory as unlawful. While the deal secures the future of the Diego Garcia base, it leaves unresolved issues regarding the resettlement of Chagossians and the broader implications for UK overseas territories.
