After many years of diplomatic interventions a wrong has finally been corrected.
Chagossians (Ilois) were forcibly removed from their islands starting in 1968. Today, 3 October 2024, a UK-Mauritius agreement was announced. This agreement which will, once the official Treaty is signed, hand-back sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago back to Mauritius. The general lines of the agreement is as follows.
Under the terms of this treaty the United Kingdom will agree that Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. For an initial period of 99 years, the United Kingdom will be authorised to exercise with respect to Diego Garcia the sovereign rights and authorities of Mauritius required to ensure the continued operation of the base well into the next century.
The treaty will address wrongs of the past and demonstrate the commitment of both parties to support the welfare of Chagossians. Mauritius will now be free to implement a programme of resettlement on the islands of the Chagos Archipelago, other than Diego Garcia, and the UK will capitalise a new trust fund, as well as separately provide other support, for the benefit of Chagossians.
Importantly, the UK will provide a package of financial support to Mauritius, including annual payments and infrastructure investment.
U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the “historic agreement”, saying it was a “clear demonstration that through diplomacy and partnership, countries can overcome long-standing historical challenges to reach peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes”.
Click the link for UK and Mauritius joint statement, 3 October 2024
Click the link for U.S. department of State
Click the link for Wiki on Expulsion of the Chagossians
Click the link for About Chagos Archipelago
This is so interesting Mike. Something of which I was previously unaware – and now I am reading up to catch up!
Excellent outcome of this long struggle by successive governments to regain these islands but the issue of Diego Garcia still remains! What will happen after the bail of 99 years expire? Will Mauritius then have full control of the territory!!!
Michel, Congratulations on this correction finally being carried out! I sincerely hope that the evacuation of Diego Garcia too, is next on the agenda for the sovereign state of “Isle de Maurice”
Bon chance Mon ami !!!