The United Kingdom and Mauritius have reached a historic agreement to resolve their long-standing sovereignty dispute over the Chagos Archipelago, which includes Diego Garcia, a strategically important island hosting a UK-US military base.
Negotiations have been ongoing for decades, but a breakthrough was achieved after 13 rounds of talks, with a treaty still to be finalized.
Under the agreement, Mauritius will gain sovereignty over the archipelago, but the UK will retain rights to operate the Diego Garcia base for 99 years to ensure its continued military use.
Key issues in the dispute included sovereignty, the rights of the displaced Chagossian community, and the operation of the military base.
The agreement allows for Chagossians to resettle on other islands in the archipelago, but Diego Garcia will remain a joint UK-US military facility.
While Mauritius gains sovereignty, the security and operation of the base remain central to the agreement, reflecting its importance for regional and global security.
The resolution is seen as a significant diplomatic achievement, highlighting the power of international cooperation and diplomacy. It also signals a shift away from colonial-era disputes and reinforces Mauritius’ successful use of international legal avenues to assert its claims.