Pope Leo XIV has shown his joy over the UK’s agreement to relinquish sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which is a “major victory” for the Chagossians who have so long struggled to “undo a great wrong.”
Addressing a group of 15 Chagos refugees in Vatican City, Pope Leo welcomed the renewed possibility of their return to their island home. The new hope for your return to your homeland archipelago is a source of encouragement and a strong symbol on the world stage,” he said in French. The pope also emphasized the wider principle of all persons being respected in their identity and rights, including the right to inhabit their soil, observing that no one should be banished into exile.
Background of the Chagos Islands Dispute
The Chagos Islands, a distant archipelago in the Indian Ocean, were detached from Mauritius in 1965. The UK bought the islands for £3 million in 1968, but Mauritius has always contended that it was compelled to relinquish control in order to gain independence. The islands were then made vacant to accommodate a UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, and vast numbers of Chagossians were made to move to Mauritius, the Seychelles, or settle in England, notably Crawley, West Sussex.
For decades, the Chagossians have protested for the right to return home, and their cause has gained worldwide attention and sympathy. The recent treaty marks a turning point in this long struggle.
Key Terms of the Deal
According to the accord reached in May, Mauritius will take over sovereignty of the islands, whereas the US and UK would maintain operation of the military base on Diego Garcia for a period of 99 years initially. The UK will compensate Mauritius with an average of £101 million per year under the accord. A 24-mile buffer zone will surround Diego Garcia, preventing construction without the UK’s agreement, and foreign military or civilian access to the other islands in the archipelago will similarly be denied, with the UK having a veto. The treaty will not take effect until it has been ratified by both the UK and Mauritian parliaments.
Reactions and Implications
While Pope Leo welcomed the move as a triumph for the Chagossians, the agreement has been criticized by UK opposition leaders and some Chagossians now based in Britain. Tories branded the handover as “an act of national self-harm,” claiming it would open up the UK to further threats from China because it is depending on Mauritius for strategic influence.
British Prime Minister, on the other hand, justified the pact as of importance for national safety, citing that if it did not exist, Britain would not be able to keep other countries, such as China, from gaining a military foothold on the outer islands or conducting drills around Diego Garcia. Sir Keir Starmer also chimed in, “No responsible government could let that happen.”
Looking Ahead
The Chagos Islands agreement is a milestone in a long fight for justice, sovereignty, and the rights of displaced individuals. Pope Leo XIV has urged Mauritian authorities to make sure that refugees can return to their country of origin, perhaps affording a sense of belonging and closure to generations of Chagossians who were driven into exile.
The globe now waits while Mauritius and the UK move through the last steps of treaty ratification, heralding a potential new era for the Chagos Islands and their people.
