What next for the UK/Mauritius Chagos Treaty?

Is it too much to hope that today’s politicians will implement the commitments by their distinguished predecessors of the 1980s or will discussions continue for another 45 years?

Opinion

By David Snoxell

Now that the UK Government has finally decided not to continue with the Diego Garcia and BIOT Bill in this session of Parliament, nor to include it in the King’s Speech at the State Opening of the new Parliament on 13 May, UK officials will meet their counterparts on 22 April in Port Louis to consider the situation.

The Treaty was signed by both prime ministers on 22 May last year. The Bill enacting it had reached its final stage in the House of Lords but was paused on 26 January due to opposition from President Trump. In his statement to the House of Commons on 13 April announcing the postponement, the Foreign Office Minister laid the blame for the delay on the President who had for a 3rd time changed his mind, this time against. It made it “impossible to agree at political level an update to the 1966 UK-US agreement that made BIOT available for defence, which is necessary to ratify the Treaty”.

Supporters of the Chagos Islanders in Westminster following a 2008 judgment over the decision of the British government to stop the Chagos Islanders going home. Pic: Fiona Hanson – PA Photos

My last piece on 20 February, ‘Has the UK-Mauritius Chagos Treaty stalled?’ examined why it took so long from 3 November 2022 when the negotiations were announced by both governments, to conclude with a treaty. The announcement stated that “The UK and Mauritius have agreed to engage in constructive negotiations with a view to arriving at an agreement by early next year”, i.e. January 2023. I pointed out in articles during 2023/4 that it would be prudent to ensure the treaty was ratified well before the three forthcoming general elections – the UK on 4 July 2024, the US on 5 November, Mauritius on 10 November.

Some commentators say we will have to await President Trump’s departure from office in 2029 before the US is in a position to support the treaty again, but then we don’t know who and what the priorities of the next President will be. If both governments feel they cannot risk waiting another three years, are there alternatives? Can resettlement of Chagossians which has been considered since 2001, be postponed any longer or are they to be the main losers again? Already several British Chagossians have taken the law into their own hands and since February have been camping on Ile du Coin in Peros Banhos atoll. And can the Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area under Mauritian auspices have a role while Chagos remains under British control?

Clearly, the quickest and best outcome for all parties is for the Bill to pass and the treaty to come into force. However, if this continues to be impossible because of President Trump’s opposition and the war with Iran drags on, would it be worth considering alternatives? For example:

1. Sovereignty Transitions

The UK/US agreement (exchange of letters) will expire on 27 December 2036. Could the formal acknowledgement of Mauritian sovereignty over Diego Garcia be postponed until then as the UK remains in control of the island or be reviewed in say 4 years’ time after the next President takes office.
Asserting British ’sovereignty’ for a few more years at this tumultuous time in world affairs may reassure President Trump, the media and British politicians.

2. Immediate Restoration of the Outer Islands

In the meantime, the 55 Outer Islands could be returned to Mauritius this year, as has been the case since 2002, since the treaty makes clear that they are not required for defence purposes and never have been.
This may need a small amendment to the 1966 agreement since it refers to the UK retaining sovereignty over the entire BIOT. After all three islands (Desroches, Aldabra and Farquhar) were returned from BIOT to Seychelles at Independence in 1976.

3. Resettlement and Chagossian Engagement

More needs to be done to reassure Chagossians and the UN that under Mauritian sovereignty, the resettlement of the Outer Islands — which has been regularly delayed over the last 25 years — will finally take place for those who wish to return. Currently, however, it remains unclear exactly how many intend to do so.
The UK and Mauritius could issue a joint statement promising resettlement to be organised and funded jointly. All Chagossian groups should be involved in planning a trial resettlement and heritage visits to resume this year, but it will require them to work together for this common objective.

4. The Chagos MPA

It is also important to maintain momentum and implementation of the Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area which both countries agreed to in May 2025 and was the subject of a recent workshop with Mauritian, UK and US representatives in Port Louis on advancing plans for the MPA.

It is nearly 46 years since Prime Minister Thatcher told the Commons on 11 July 1980 that “in the event of the islands no longer being required for defence purposes, they should revert to Mauritius. This remains the policy of Her Majesty’s Government”.
It was repeated in the Commons by Lord Luce, an FCO Minister and later Lord Privy Seal on 1 December 1981. He continued “HMG believes that an early agreement is strongly in the interest of the former islanders. Discussions to this end continue through diplomatic channels”. Lord Luce is a retired member of the Chagos Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group.
Is it too much to hope that today’s politicians will implement those commitments by their distinguished predecessors of the 1980s or will discussions continue for another 45 years?

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 17 April 2026