The UK’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has been described as a “significant victory” by Pope Leo XIV, who praised the move as a step toward rectifying a longstanding injustice.
Speaking to a delegation of 15 Chagos refugees, the Pope expressed delight at the development, highlighting that it offered the promise of returning to their homeland after decades of exile. “The renewed prospect of your return to your native archipelago is an encouraging sign and a powerful symbol on the international stage,” he said. Emphasising the importance of respecting people’s rights, he added: “No one can be forced into exile from their land.”
The Chagos Islands, purchased by the UK in 1968 for £3 million, were controversially separated from Mauritius during its independence negotiations, leading to the displacement of thousands of Chagossians. Many were relocated to Mauritius, the Seychelles, or settled in the UK, particularly in Crawley, West Sussex.
Under the terms of the treaty signed in May, Mauritius will gain sovereignty over the archipelago but has agreed to allow the UK and US to maintain a military base on Diego Garcia for an initial period of 99 years. The agreement includes a 24-mile buffer around Diego Garcia, barring construction without UK consent, and grants the UK veto power over access to other islands in the group. The UK has also committed to paying Mauritius an average of £101 million annually over the duration of the agreement.
While the UK government has stressed the deal’s importance for national security, ensuring the continued operation of the joint US-UK military base, the arrangement has faced criticism. Opposition leaders and some Chagossians in the UK have voiced concerns over restrictions on returning home and the strategic concessions involved.
Mauritius welcomed the treaty, with Attorney General Gavin Glover calling it a historic resolution to a six-decade struggle. The agreement will only take effect once ratified by both UK and Mauritian parliaments, following the dismissal of a last-minute legal challenge from two Diego Garcia-born women seeking to return to the islands.
As the world watches, the Chagos Islands deal marks a notable intersection of justice, diplomacy, and strategic interests, balancing the rights of displaced communities with geopolitical considerations.
