The UK and Mauritian governments reached a historic agreement in October last year to transfer the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, resolving a long-standing legal dispute over their ownership. The move offered hope to the Chagossians, who have been in exile for over 50 years after being forcibly displaced when Britain retained control of the islands during Mauritius’ independence.
Many Chagossians, led by activist Olivier Bancoult, have been campaigning for the right to return home, and the agreement seemed to bring them closer to this goal. However, the deal is not yet confirmed and faces uncertainty, as the Mauritian government that initially agreed to it has been voted out, and the new leadership is hesitant about endorsing it. Furthermore, the approval of the US, which operates a military base on Diego Garcia in the islands, is crucial for the deal, with the Biden administration supporting it but the Trump administration expressing reservations.
The agreement also faces challenges domestically, with critics questioning why the UK is paying around £9 billion as part of the deal. As the Labour government faces pressure to push the agreement through, there are concerns about the future for the Chagossians if it falls through. For people like Bancoult, who have longed to return to their homeland, the outcome of the deal remains uncertain.
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