On Thursday, May 22, the UK signed an agreement transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. At the same time, the multi-billion dollar agreement allows the UK to retain control of the crucial British-American military base on the tropical atoll of Diego Garcia for 99 years.
British Prime Minister, Stammer, signed the agreement and stated in a press conference, “This agreement reached on our terms strongly ensures our protective measures, including safeguarding against malicious influences, which will allow the base to continue to operate effectively into the next century, ensuring the safety of generations to come.”
The UK’s opposition party has criticized the agreement as being overly costly and potentially boosting Chinese influence, due to Mauritius’ close trade ties with China. However, the ruling party has maintained that the agreement is crucial for securing the future of Diego Garcia Island.
Stammer emphasized, “The strategic position of the base is crucial for the UK, from deploying aircraft to target terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan, to addressing threats in the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific region.”
Details of the agreement were initially revealed in October last year, with Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth stating that the agreement “embodies a lasting commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and rule of law.”
Current Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who took office in November 2024, remarked, “Through this agreement, we have completed the decolonization process, the full recognition of our sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.”
Upon assuming office in January this year, U.S. President Trump, supported by Trump, further delayed the agreement as London hoped to review the plan’s details under the new administration. In February, Trump expressed support for the agreement.
U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo also welcomed the agreement, stating that it “ensures the long-term, stable, and effective operation of the joint U.S.-UK military facilities in Diego Garcia.”
Under the agreement, the UK will pay £165 million annually for the first three years; £120 million annually from the fourth to thirteenth years, with costs adjusted for inflation thereafter until the agreement ends.
Starting from the fourth year, a yearly subsidy of £45 million will be provided to support Mauritius’ development for 25 years, with British businesses expected to participate as much as possible. Additionally, a one-time payment of £40 million will be allocated to establish a Chagos Islands resident trust fund.
Since 1814, the UK has held control over the region and separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius in 1965 to establish a British Indian Ocean Territory, with Mauritius gaining independence in 1968. However, the Mauritian government has long argued that it was forcibly stripped of the Chagos Islands in exchange for the right to independence from Britain, sparking legal battles.
The latest legal challenge occurred in the early hours of Thursday when Bertrice Pompe, a UK citizen born in the Chagos Islands, filed a lawsuit, leading the High Court to issue a temporary injunction against the agreement. Pompe criticized the exclusion of the Chagossian people in the negotiations.
Following a hearing, the injunction was lifted by the judge, stating that upholding it would cause “substantial prejudice” to the UK’s interests. This action cleared the way for the final signing of the agreement, with the UK government deeming it crucial for safeguarding national security.
(This article references related reports by Reuters and the BBC)