As Mauritius finally wins their claims over the Chagos Islands against the Maldives, the statement published also says that Mauritius will now be free to implement a programme of resettlement on the islands of the Chagos Archipelago, other than Diego Garcia.
BBC
One of the biggest issues that arose in the Maldives in 2023 was the rift between the Maldives and Mauritius as the British-Indian territory Chagos Islands became an interest between both countries. Although this issue became heated between the Maldives and Mauritius in 2022, a handful of countries debated on which country had the most valid claim to the Chagos Islands since 2022. This led to many different versions of how civilization came to be in the Chagos Islands being debated and several key details being revealed reading how the United Kingdom gave Mauritius a grant of £3 million in recognition of the Chagos Archipelago.
This issue not only caused debates on the international level, but it also opened up several accusations within the Maldives regarding corruption and other scandals as the rift regarding the Chagos Island claims continued. While the debate died down as other economic and worldly issues took centre stage, the UK has finally decided who can lay claim to the Chagos Islands in 2024.
In a joint statement issued by the Prime Minister of the UK and Mauritius on October 3rd, 2024, the UK has agreed to give the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius.
Under the terms of this treaty, the United Kingdom will agree that Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. At the same time, both our countries are committed to the need and will agree in the treaty, to ensure the long-term, secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia which plays a vital role in regional and global security. 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.
This includes Diego Garcia, which is an island located close to the Maldives where the U.S. currently operates a long-term leased military base as well. As Mauritius finally wins their claims over the Chagos Islands against the Maldives, the statement published also says that 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.
Although Mauritius takes sovereignty, the operations in Diego Garcia will continue as the location provides to be strategic for the U.S.
