In the depths of the Indian Ocean lie the Chagos Islands, a cluster of about 60 islands that hold strategic importance for Britain, serving as the last remnants of its imperial possessions in the region.
The Mauritian government has drawn parallels between the Chagos Islands and Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories, sparking renewed interest in the islands after Britain decided to cede control to Mauritius in exchange for allowing American troops to remain on a long lease.
Home to a significant US military base, the Chagos Islands play a key role in the region, housing bomber aircraft within reach of the Middle East. However, this move by Britain has caused uproar among opposition Conservative MPs.
The decision to relinquish the islands followed an International Court of Justice ruling in 2019 declaring Britain’s occupation illegal and calling for the territory to be returned to Mauritius.
The Chagos Islands have a dark history, with Britain forcibly removing the entire population between 1968 and 1973 to lease the largest island, Diego Garcia, to the US for military purposes.
The recent decision to hand over the islands to Mauritius has raised hopes for the possibility of resettling the displaced Chagossians, although challenges remain.