Handover of Chagos Islands to Mauritius 'not an outright win'

The United Kingdom's recent decision to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a former British colony, was a breakthrough, says Mauritian former foreign minister Jean-Claude de l'Estrac. But it isn't an unmitigated victory, he tells RFI, because the UK has been granted a long-term lease to maintain a military base on the archipelago's main island – something that will likely prevent islanders from returning.

The British government has been under pressure for decades to hand over the Chagos Islands, but has resisted because of the military base it shares with the United States on Diego Garcia island, which plays a key role in US operations in the Indian Ocean and Gulf.

On 3 October, the UK said it would give up sovereignty of the remote Indian Ocean archipelago – but the joint base would remain open on an "initial" 99-year lease.

There is some hope the treaty could pave the way for the return of Chagos Islanders, who were expelled by the UK in the 1970s as the military base was developed.

But with no permanent population – and Diego Garcia, the most habitable island, remaining off limits as part of the deal – resettlement looks unlikely.

RFI spoke to Jean-Claude de l'Estrac, formerly foreign minister of Mauritius and secretary general of the intergovernmental Indian Ocean Commission, about the ramifications of the agreement.

RFI: Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth called 3 October "an historic day". Do you agree?


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