Mauritius is reviewing a deal with the UK regarding the Chagos Islands, which host a vital U.S. military base. The deal, initially agreed upon, would transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while allowing the UK to retain control of the base for another 99 years.
Mauritius , an island country in the Indian Ocean, is reconsidering a deal with the United Kingdom concerning the Chagos Islands , which house a crucial U.S. military base . Despite the new government's hesitation, the U.K. remains committed to transferring sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius , while ensuring control over the strategic military base for at least another 99 years. The Chagos Islands have been a point of contention for decades.
The islands have been under British control since 1814, with the U.K. forcibly removing 2,000 residents in the 1960s and 1970s to allow the U.S. military to establish its base. The base, called the Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia, is home to around 2,500 personnel. The base sits on Diego Garcia, 'the largest of 55 islands that form the Chagos Archipelago and is known as the 'Footprint of Freedom' for its shape, regional location, and strategic importance,' according to Military One Source. It's critical for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa, describing it as 'an all but indispensable platform.' The deal could allow descendants of the displaced Chagossians to return to the islands, excluding Diego Garcia, but their fight for the right to return has been ongoing. The U.K. government has faced accusations of surrendering sovereignty over a British territory. While some argue that the deal preserves military interests, critics are concerned about the long-term effects on international relations and the future of Diego Garcia. In October, the U.K. and Mauritius reached an agreement for the transfer of the Chagos Islands, a chain of more than 60 islands off the coast of India. The deal would allow the U.K. and U.S. to maintain the Diego Garcia military base. However, following a change in leadership in Mauritius, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has expressed reservations about the terms of the agreement and reopened negotiations. The U.K
Chagos Islands Mauritius United Kingdom Military Base Diego Garcia
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