UK's Chagos Islands Treaty Marks New Era in Sovereignty and Justice

Mon Oct 20 2025 06:34:15 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Pope Leo XIV hails the UK-Mauritius agreement over the Chagos Islands as a pivotal moment for Chagossians seeking justice.

In a historic meeting at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV expressed joy over a recent treaty that grants Mauritius sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, which includes provisions for ongoing military operations by the US and UK at Diego Garcia.

Pope Leo XIV recently met with Chagos Refugees Group members in Vatican City, declaring the UK's decision to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius a "significant victory". He emphasized that this treaty represents progress in rectifying historical wrongs inflicted on the island's inhabitants. The Pope's remarks came following a treaty signed in May, which allows Mauritius to regain sovereignty while permitting the US and UK to maintain a military base on Diego Garcia for 99 years.

The Pope urged Mauritian officials to facilitate the return of displaced Chagossians, acknowledging the deep emotional significance of returning to their homeland. Despite the optimism of the Pope and Mauritian leaders, some UK opposition figures and current residents of the UK expressing concern over the implications of the agreement have voiced criticism.

The Chagos Islands, acquired by the UK for £3m in 1968, have long been a point of contention, as Mauritius contends they were coerced into relinquishing the islands during their pursuit of independence. The subsequent relocation of Chagossians to Mauritius, Seychelles, and the UK resulted from the establishment of a military base on Diego Garcia.

Under the terms of the agreement, the UK will pay Mauritius an average of £101m annually for 99 years. Additionally, a restricted zone around Diego Garcia will prevent new constructions without consent, and foreign access to other islands in the archipelago will remain tightly controlled by the UK.

Despite the Conservatives labeling the treaty an "act of national self-harm," Prime Minister defended it as essential for national security to deter potential adversaries like China. The Mauritian government welcomed the treaty, while two women from Diego Garcia sought legal recourse to return to their birthplace, though their challenge was dismissed by the High Court.

This treaty, now pending approval from both UK and Mauritian parliaments, signifies a transformative moment in the pursuit of justice and rightful sovereignty for the people of Chagos Islands.