UK Faces Backlash as African Experts Demand Return of Chagos Islands to Mauritius
The United Kingdom is under growing pressure to honor a 2019 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling and return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, as African analysts condemn continued Western control of the strategic territory.
Recent reports suggest the UK government may abandon plans to transfer sovereignty, sparking accusations of colonial-era overreach and undermining African sovereignty.
A Broken Promise?
Last May, Britain agreed in principle to return the islands—home to the crucial Diego Garcia military base—to Mauritius while retaining a lease on the facility. However, the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill stalled in Parliament, and officials now indicate it won’t be included in next month’s King’s Speech.
A UK spokesperson stated the deal hinges on U.S. support, which appears shaky after former President Donald Trump blasted the agreement as “great stupidity” in January. The Biden administration has not publicly reversed Trump’s stance, leaving the UK in diplomatic limbo.
African Leaders Push Back
Experts argue the delay exposes lingering colonial power dynamics. Professor Mukhtar Imam, an international affairs analyst, told Nexio News that Western powers are clinging to “military expansionist ideology” by retaining control of the archipelago.
“The ICJ has ruled, yet Africa is still fighting for what’s rightfully ours,” he said. “This isn’t just about Mauritius—it’s about proving that colonial subjugation is over.”
Constitutional law expert Livingstone Wechie called the UK’s stance a “grim trial against Africa,” emphasizing that sovereignty cannot be conditional. “If Diego Garcia is so vital to the U.S. and UK, they must negotiate with Mauritius as equals—not as overlords,” he said.
A History of Displacement
Britain separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius in 1965, three years before the latter’s independence, forcibly expelling thousands of islanders to make way for the Diego Garcia base. The move violated multiple UN resolutions barring colonial powers from partitioning territories before granting independence.
Decades later, exiled Chagossians continue legal battles for compensation and repatriation. In 2019, the ICJ ruled the UK’s occupation unlawful, a decision backed by the UN General Assembly. The African Union (AU) has repeatedly condemned Britain’s refusal to comply.
Geopolitical Stakes
Diego Garcia remains a linchpin of U.S. military strategy, serving as a launchpad for operations in the Middle East and Asia. Its significance has grown amid tensions with Iran, making Washington reluctant to cede influence.
“The UK is caught between its moral obligations and its military alliance with the U.S.,” said an anonymous African official. “But Africa won’t accept endless excuses. This is a test of whether international law applies equally to all nations.”
What’s Next?
Mauritius insists it will allow the base to operate under a mutual agreement—but only after sovereignty is restored. With the UK’s bill shelved and U.S. opposition lingering, the AU may ramp up diplomatic pressure ahead of the next ICJ review.
As Professor Imam warned, “Africa’s patience is wearing thin. The world is watching to see if Britain will finally do the right thing.”
— Reported by Nexio News
