UK-Mauritius Chagos Sovereignty Deal Faces Delays as Displaced Community Ages

Pointe aux Sables, Mauritius – Delays in implementing a landmark agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius over the Chagos archipelago are casting doubt on whether displaced islanders will ever return, with many now in advanced age. Olivier Bancoult, representing the Chagos Refugees Group, highlighted the human toll of the standstill, noting that for some, the treaty’s promises may come too late.

The deal, ratified in May 2025, transfers sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while permitting the UK to maintain a military base on Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year term. It also paves the way for Chagossians to resettle on islands other than Diego Garcia. However, the treaty has yet to enter into force, largely due to political friction involving the United States and legislative bottlenecks in Westminster.

Bancoult expressed steadfast resolve despite external interference. “We remain unshaken by Trump’s interference,” he said, pointing to the 2019 International Court of Justice advisory opinion and the 2021 ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea as legal vindication for Mauritius’ claim.

The Chagos Islands were detached from Mauritius by Britain in 1965, three years prior to Mauritius’ independence. Between 1968 and 1973, British authorities forcibly removed an estimated 1,400 to 1,700 residents to make way for a US military base on Diego Garcia. Many were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles, while others migrated to the UK. British law subsequently prohibited residents from returning without permission.

Legislative efforts to enact the treaty in the UK stumbled in April when the government informed Parliament that the necessary bill could not be passed before the 2024–26 parliamentary session ended on April 29. Earlier criticism came from US President Donald Trump, who in January labeled the agreement an “act of great stupidity” and questioned its impact on the security of the Diego Garcia base.

Diplomatic momentum resumed in September. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated on September 21 that the UK would collaborate with Mauritius and the US to ensure the continued operation of the military base and protect national security interests. Shortly after, Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam traveled to London on September 26 for talks with National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell and other officials. Ramgoolam remained in the UK for ongoing discussions, though the Mauritian government has kept the specifics of these talks private.

For the Chagossian diaspora, time is a critical factor. “Chagossians born on the archipelago are now aged between 58 and 100,” Bancoult said. “We are growing old, and we have lost several Chagossian elders this year alone.”

Chrisyl Wong-Hang-Sun, a PhD researcher in anthropology at the University of Edinburgh, noted that prolonged displacement is eroding cultural heritage. “During my fieldwork, many diaspora members expressed concerns over cultural loss, such as words in Chagossian Creole and recipes that are difficult to recreate abroad,” she said. She also highlighted growing political fractures within the community, including a divide between the Chagos Refugees Group and UK-based second-generation Chagossians like Misley Mandarin, who support resettlement under British rather than Mauritian sovereignty and have garnered support from Reform UK.

Mauritius has maintained a firm diplomatic stance. At the UN General Assembly in September, Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful reiterated that sovereignty over the archipelago was “non-negotiable” and characterized the 2025 treaty as a confirmation of international law.

Bruno Donat, an international relations consultant, urged Mauritius to engage more deeply with global partners, including the African Union, small island states, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, rather than relying solely on high-profile diplomatic appearances. “Being in New York corridors for a photo” is insufficient, Donat argued, emphasizing the need for sustained pressure on Washington.

The status of Diego Garcia remains the most contentious element. Lalit, a Mauritian advocacy group campaigning for the base’s closure, opposes the treaty’s continuation of military operations. Lindsey Collen of Lalit warned that the agreement could draw Mauritius into closer ties with US military power, potentially making the nation a target in conflicts.

Collen also raised concerns about recent developments, including a partnership between the Mauritius Police Force and the New Mexico National Guard, and the construction of what she described as “enormous military-looking buildings” at the new US embassy in Mauritius. Conversely, Donat suggested the treaty could actually strengthen Mauritius’ position, citing the government’s public statement that strikes launched from Diego Garcia against Iran breached international law.

Despite these strategic debates, Bancoult emphasized that the primary urgency is the right of return for his community. “We are opposed to war, ethically, but we are also running out of time,” he said. The Chagos Refugees Group is now looking forward to celebrating the 101st birthday of one of its eldest members, hoping he survives to see the long-awaited return home.