UK cedes Chagos Islands to Mauritius, minus US base
Mauritius has long argued it was forced to give up the islands in 1965 in return for independence from Britain


What happened
Britain said Thursday it would cede sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, an archipelago of more than 60 small islands in the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius but retain control of Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands and home to a strategically important U.S.-U.K. military base, for "an initial period" of 99 years. The Chagos Islands lie 1,250 miles northeast of Mauritius, toward India. Mauritius has long argued it was forced to give up the cluster of islands in 1965 in return for its own independence from Britain in 1968.
Who said what
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth welcomed the "historic political agreement." They said in a joint statement that the deal, negotiated over two years, reflected their commitments to "the rule of law" and the "long-term, secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia." Jugnauth said in a televised speech that "56 years after our independence, the decolonization is finally complete."
Britain had faced "rising diplomatic isolation" over its claim to what it called the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) and others "called its 'last colony in Africa,'" the BBC said. The Chagos Islands were "one of the very last pieces" of Britain's "global empire," and if it relinquished them "reluctantly," it also did so "peacefully and legally."
What next?
Under the agreement, which must still be signed off in a treaty, Britain will pay Mauritius rent, infrastructure investments and a "resettlement" fund for the descendants of the 1,500 Chagossians kicked off the islands in the 1970s to make way for the Diego Garcia base.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The Chagos Islands: Starmer's 'lousy deal'
Talking Point The PM's adherence to 'legalism' has given Mauritius a 'gift from British taxpayers'
-
How the Arctic became a geopolitical flashpoint
The Explainer The UK is working with Nato allies in the Arctic Circle to prepare for potential Russian aggression
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?
Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer
-
How the civil service works – and why critics say it needs reform
The Explainer Keir Starmer wants to 'rewire' Whitehall, which he has claimed is too 'comfortable in the tepid bath of managed decline'
-
Brexit 'reset' deal: how will it work?
In Depth Keir Stamer says the deal is a 'win-win', but he faces claims that he has 'surrendered' to Brussels on fishing rights
-
Are we entering the post-Brexit era?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer's 'big bet' with his EU reset deal is that 'nobody really cares' about Brexit any more
-
Why Turkey's Kurdish insurgents are laying down their arms
Under the Radar The PKK said its aims can now be 'resolved through democratic politics'
-
Can Starmer sell himself as the 'tough on immigration' PM?
Today's Big Question Former human rights lawyer 'now needs to own the change – not just mouth the slogans' to win over a sceptical public