Kate Whannel, a political reporter for Reuters, reported on the recent developments regarding the Chagos Islands. The largest island in the archipelago, Diego Garcia, was separated from Mauritius in 1965 and currently houses a US military base. A last-minute injunction from a High Court judge has temporarily halted the government from finalizing talks on the Chagos Islands deal.
The injunction was granted at 02:25 BST by Mr. Justice Goose in response to a case brought by two Chagossian women against the Foreign Office. The deal would involve handing over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while allowing the UK and US to maintain the military base for an initial period of 99 years. The UK government has not disclosed the estimated payments to Mauritius as part of the deal, but it is expected to be significant.
In response to the injunction, a government spokesperson stated that the deal was necessary to protect national security. The court is set to hear the case again on Thursday morning. The Chagossian community, represented by six individuals, is engaging in discussions with the Foreign Office on the sovereignty of the territory.
The Chagos Archipelago’s history is marred by controversy, with Mauritius claiming it was illegally forced to give away the islands to gain independence from Britain. The Chagos islanders have been displaced and prevented from returning to their homeland. The ongoing negotiations have sparked mixed reactions within the Chagossian community, with some advocating for their right to return and others focusing on their status in the UK.
The UK government’s handling of the Chagos Islands issue has faced criticism, with concerns raised about the potential cost of the deal and its impact on national security. Opposition politicians have expressed reservations about the close ties between Mauritius and China. The court intervention has further fueled the debate, with Conservative and Reform UK leaders questioning the government’s motives in pursuing the deal. Kate Whannel Kenapa?