It was a joyous day for the people of Mauritius on Thursday after the United Kingdom handed over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. The deal signed on Thursday states that the UK will be paying a whopping £101 million annually for 99 years for the use of the Diego Garcia military base.
The agreement further states that the UK will establish a £40m trust fund for Chagosians and Channel some payments towards development in Mauritius.
“The African Union applauds the comprehensive scope of this partnership, which covers critical areas such as economic growth, trade, maritime security, climate action, governance, and regional cooperation,” says Youssouf.
The Chagos Archipelago comprises six atolls (group of small islands in a single ring). It is said to be located 500 kilometres (300 miles) south of Maldives, and between Africa and Indonesia and inhabited by an estimated 4,000 people.
On May 21, 2025, a court in the UK ordered a stoppage of the handing over of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. But this ruling was overturned by another judge.
Paying dividends
However, Youssouf stresses that the agreement will illuminate peace, security, sustainable development, such as economic growth, trade, climate resilience and regional cooperation.
“These initiatives are not only vital for Mauritius but also contribute positively to the stability and prosperity of the wider Indian Ocean region,” Youssouf confides.
The United States government praised the agreement on Thursday, stressing the importance of Diego Garcia being operational.
“We commend both the United Kingdom and Mauritius for their leadership, vision, and commitment to ensure that Diego Garcia remains fully operational for the duration of this agreement,” a statement issued by the US Department of State reads.
Brief history
The Chagos Archipelago is situated approximately 1,000 miles south of the Indian Subcontinent, within the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
Published articles indicate that the British Indian Ocean Territory, which was established in 1965, has been overseeing Chagos. These islands were on the trade routes and were contested by European powers.
The Chagos Archipelago and the Seychelles were controlled by France and placed under Mauritius with interests in coconut plantations in these areas in 18th century.
In the 19th century, especially in 1814, these Islands, together with Mauritius, became a British colony after the Treaty of Paris.
Seychelles was later removed from Mauritius in 1903 as a separate colony.
In 2017, the UN General Assembly requested the UN’s International Court of Justice to comment on Mauritius's decolonisation and the consequences of British rule on the Chagos Archipelago according to international law.
Mauritius claimed it was forced to surrender the Chagos Archipelago for it to achieve independence in 1968.
The ICJ passed its ruling that the Chagos Archipelago be returned to Mauritius as the UK stops administering the Island. This ruling seemed loose was not implemented as stated.
