UK Hands Over Chagos Islands to Mauritius to Secure Diego Garcia Base

London has made the decision to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in order to maintain control over the strategically important Diego Garcia military base, according to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The move follows a decades-long dispute over the archipelago, with the largest island, Diego Garcia, being handed over to the US in 1966 and its inhabitants resettled elsewhere.

Lammy defended the decision in Parliament, stating, “This is a victory for diplomacy. We saved the base, it has been secured for the long term.” He emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of the base for national security, with the US also supporting the agreement with Mauritius.

The UK and Mauritius are set to sign a treaty to guarantee the continued operation of the Diego Garcia base for the next 99 years, in exchange for recognizing Mauritian sovereignty over the island. This move has stirred controversy, with some critics accusing Lammy of prioritizing global diplomacy over British interests.

Despite concerns raised by Argentina regarding the Falkland Islands, Lammy affirmed that British sovereignty over the Falklands, Gibraltar, and sovereign base areas remains non-negotiable. The agreement with Mauritius also aims to address the unjust removal of the Chagossian population from their native land.

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