United Kingdom Returns Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius Amid Continued Control of Diego Garcia
The return of the Chagos Islands signals a resolution to a long-standing post-colonial dispute, while control over the strategic Diego Garcia remains with the UK.
The United Kingdom has officially returned the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, as confirmed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a press conference.
This agreement, which addresses a decades-old post-colonial dispute, follows a ruling from the London High Court that dismissed an appeal from two indigenous women opposing the loss of their British citizenship.
As stated by Starmer, the deal has received approval from the United States and includes a substantial rental agreement valued at £101 million per year for a period of 99 years, with the possibility of renewal.
Under the terms of the agreement, the UK retains control over Diego Garcia, an island that houses a critical military base shared with the US.
The decision has faced backlash from British conservatives, who accuse the Labour government of capitulating in the negotiations.
Starmer countered these criticisms, asserting that the agreement had even received personal approval from former US President Donald Trump.
Additionally, Starmer has estimated that the financial implications of maintaining Diego Garcia would cost UK taxpayers approximately £3.4 billion.
Concerns surrounding the indigenous population have been raised by the non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch, which warned of the potential 'exile' of the remaining inhabitants on Diego Garcia, following the military stabilization underscored by the new agreement.
These issues were highlighted by the failed legal challenge from the two Chagossian women, who expressed distress over the prospect of losing their British citizenship in favor of Mauritian nationality without any democratic consultation regarding the terms of the agreement.
This agreement, which addresses a decades-old post-colonial dispute, follows a ruling from the London High Court that dismissed an appeal from two indigenous women opposing the loss of their British citizenship.
As stated by Starmer, the deal has received approval from the United States and includes a substantial rental agreement valued at £101 million per year for a period of 99 years, with the possibility of renewal.
Under the terms of the agreement, the UK retains control over Diego Garcia, an island that houses a critical military base shared with the US.
The decision has faced backlash from British conservatives, who accuse the Labour government of capitulating in the negotiations.
Starmer countered these criticisms, asserting that the agreement had even received personal approval from former US President Donald Trump.
Additionally, Starmer has estimated that the financial implications of maintaining Diego Garcia would cost UK taxpayers approximately £3.4 billion.
Concerns surrounding the indigenous population have been raised by the non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch, which warned of the potential 'exile' of the remaining inhabitants on Diego Garcia, following the military stabilization underscored by the new agreement.
These issues were highlighted by the failed legal challenge from the two Chagossian women, who expressed distress over the prospect of losing their British citizenship in favor of Mauritian nationality without any democratic consultation regarding the terms of the agreement.
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