The new British government is set to negotiate a settlement with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands and its former inhabitants

Opinion

For the UK a negotiated settlement to this continuing dispute and human tragedy is the only way to bring an end to this relic of Britian’s colonial past

By David Snoxell

My article in Mauritius Times on 5 July had a more tentative title. It was ‘Will the new British government give priority to concluding the Chagos negotiations?’ It is encouraging that after less than 3 weeks in office it has already stated that the Government’s priority is to resolve this long standing and important issue. It looks as if progress will now be made.

Keir Starmer. Pic SkyNews

A meeting between the two prime ministers, which included the Foreign Secretary David Lammy, took place in the Foreign Office on 23 July. Just 19 days after the Government took office. In answer to a written parliamentary question from Jeremy Corbyn MP asking the Foreign Secretary when he expected to conclude negotiations with Mauritius on sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago the Minister of State at the FCO, Stephen Doughty replied on 24 July:

“The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met the Mauritian Prime Minister on 23 July and committed to continuing negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago. It is too early to speculate on timelines or conclusions, but it is the Government’s priority to resolve this long standing and important issue, including ensuring the long-term secure and effective operation of the joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia and other key issues. As appropriate, we will continue to engage with all relevant parties including the Chagossian diaspora.”

Labour policy

On 10 July 2023 the then shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, committed Labour to a resolution of the issues in a speech at the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law. He said:

“For years the government ignored the opinions of the ICJ, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the UN General Assembly about the Chagos Islands. Only belatedly has the government sought what we have called for: a new settlement that brings the UK into compliance with international law, redresses the historical injustices done to the Chagossians, maintains the marine protected environment, and meets strategic security concerns.” David Lammy can be expected to give priority to fulfilling his commitment.

The British government will now resume the UK/Mauritius negotiations which have dragged on since first announced by the Conservative Foreign Secretary James Cleverley on 3 November 2022. Hopefully there will be progress to report before the second anniversary of this announcement and before the US presidential election on 5 November. While the Biden/ Harris Administration has supported the UK/Mauritius negotiations, a Trump presidency may be less favourable.

November also marks four other notable anniversaries: the 24th anniversary of the High Court judgment allowing Chagossians to return to the Outer Islands and Deportation Commemoration Day in Mauritius (both on 3 November 2000); the 59th anniversary of the creation of the British Indian Ocean Territory (8 November 1965); the 5th anniversary of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) deadline for the UK to implement the ICJ Advisory Opinion by 22 November 2019.

Chagos Islands APPG

The Chagos Islands (BIOT) All-Party Parliamentary Group, established in 2008, has held 94 meetings. It will be re-established at an inaugural meeting on 4 September. Three of the recent APPG membership were former shadow foreign affairs and international development ministers, two of whom, Stephen Doughty and Catherine West, are now FCDO ministers. Andrew Mitchell, shadow Foreign Secretary, is also a member. I would expect the APPG to press the government to conclude an agreement expeditiously, providing for the return of Chagossians who wish to resettle, and restoration of at least the outer Islands to Mauritian sovereignty.

Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Inquiry

Following the FAC inquiry in February examining “the situation regarding BIOT/Chagos Islands”, the FAC Chair wrote to the Foreign Secretary stating that the Government should immediately begin the process of preparing for a pilot resettlement programme on an outlying island in partnership with the Mauritian and US Governments, Chagossian groups, and with the input of the scientific community. The published letter concluded:“We understand that negotiations regarding sovereignty are ongoing, and we are fully supportive of a successful conclusion and outcome that ensures continued operation of the base at Diego Garcia, which plays a fundamental role in global security.”

Timetable

While there are outstanding issues to resolve (eventual lease and rent for the Diego Garcia base, its status in international law, control and security; responsibility for a pilot resettlement and costs) an agreement could be finalised within months as a treaty and registered with the UN. It would be appropriate for it to be signed by the Mauritian Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary during the next session of the UN General Assembly, in compliance with several resolutions that the UNGA has adopted on Chagos since 1965.

A final settlement after 59 years would be a major foreign and defence policy achievement for the new government, providing:

– Long-term security for the UK/US base on Diego Garcia

– Strengthened future cooperation in the Indian Ocean between the UK, US, Mauritius, India, France and Australia

– A united counterforce to potential Chinese influence and activity

– Restoration of the human rights of Chagossians and an end to their long exile

It would also signal the new British government’s support for international law and re-establish the UK’s reputation as a country which respects human rights, self-determination, territorial integrity, the UN, and international courts.

For the UK – an architect of the ICJ, the UN Charter and UN institutions – a negotiated settlement to this continuing dispute and human tragedy is the only way to bring an end to this relic of Britian’s colonial past. It may also enable the UK to regain its lost seats on the ICJ, other international courts and UN bodies.

David Snoxell has been Coordinator of the Chagos Islands (BIOT) APPG since 2008.

He was British High Commissioner to Mauritius, 2000-04, and Deputy Commissioner of the BIOT, 1995-7

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 2 August 2024