The UK’s latest move to hand over control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has finally been sealed after much anticipation. This decision will result in Britain relinquishing sovereignty of the Indian Ocean territory while leasing back the crucial UK-US Diego Garcia military base. The cost of this handover to the taxpayer is estimated to be in the billions of pounds.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the significance of the Diego Garcia base to Britain, highlighting its role in deploying aircraft for various military operations. He stressed that the base faced a threat due to Mauritius’s legal claim over the Chagos Islands, which had been recognized by international courts. Failure to agree to the deal could potentially lead to other nations, like China, establishing their own bases in the region, endangering British interests.
The agreement entails the UK leasing the base from the Mauritian government for a period of 99 years. Despite Sir Keir’s reassurances about the costs involved, there seems to be some confusion surrounding the actual financial implications. The details of the agreement reveal varying annual payments over the years, with projections suggesting a substantial sum over the course of the lease. This discrepancy in cost calculations has raised questions about the transparency of the deal.
The Chagos Archipelago’s history dates back to its separation from Mauritius by the UK in 1965, leading to ongoing disputes over ownership. The US’s request to expel residents from the islands in the 1960s to establish a naval facility on Diego Garcia further complicated the situation. With international bodies siding with Mauritius on the matter, the UK was under pressure to address the sovereignty issue and complete the decolonization process.
While the deal has garnered support from key allies like the US, NATO, and India, opposition parties like the Tories have criticized it as a “surrender tax.” The decision to hand over the Chagos Islands has sparked debates about national security implications and the will of the Chagossian people. Despite inheriting the negotiation process from the previous government, Sir Keir defended the agreement, citing the need to act in the country’s best interests.
The signing of the agreement marks a significant milestone in the long-standing dispute over the Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia. The terms of the deal include provisions for a buffer zone around the island and the UK retaining operational control of the military base. The US has expressed support for the agreement, emphasizing the importance of the joint military facility for regional and global security.
After facing temporary legal hurdles, the agreement was eventually signed, paving the way for a new chapter in the relationship between the UK, Mauritius, and the Chagos Islands. Despite the financial implications and political debates surrounding the handover, the focus remains on securing the strategic interests of all parties involved.
