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In a significant development, the UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, paving the way for a long-term agreement. The deal, which has been in the works for several years, involves the UK relinquishing control over the entire archipelago in exchange for a 99-year lease on the strategic island of Diego Garcia, home to a major UK-US military base.
The lease agreement, which is expected to cost the UK around £101 million per year on average, marks a significant change in the UK’s position on the disputed territory. Prior to this, the UK has maintained that the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, was a British overseas territory. The decision to hand over sovereignty to Mauritius has been motivated by a desire to secure the long-term future of the military base, while also respecting the territorial claims of Mauritius.
Under the terms of the deal, the UK will cede control of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, but will retain the rights to use the military base on Diego Garcia for a period of 99 years. The UK government has framed the agreement as a “landmark deal” that will enable the UK to maintain its strategic interests in the region while also promoting regional stability and good relations with Mauritius.
The agreement is expected to be finalized in the coming months, subject to approval by both UK and Mauritian authorities. While some have questioned the terms of the deal, arguing that it amounts to a form of “rental” of Diego Garcia, others have welcomed the move as a pragmatic and necessary step towards resolving the long-standing dispute over the Chagos Archipelago.
In a statement released by Lord Hermer, the UK government’s minister for the Overseas Territories, he said: “The UK is committed to securing the future of the military base on Diego Garcia. We believe that this agreement will enable us to maintain our strategic interests in the region while also respecting the territorial claims of Mauritius. We look forward to finalizing the agreement in the coming months and to strengthening our relationship with Mauritius.”
The estimated cost of the lease agreement, which is valued at around £3.4 billion in net-present-value terms, is seen as a significant investment by the UK government. However, proponents of the deal argue that the long-term economic benefits of maintaining access to the Diego Garcia military base, combined with the improved relations with Mauritius, make it a worthwhile investment.
As the UK government presses forward with the agreement, it remains to be seen how the deal will be received by other regional actors, including the US, which has significant interests in the Diego Garcia military base.