Chagossians Protest UK-Mauritius Deal on Islands’ Sovereignty

Hundreds of Chagossians from various parts of the UK assembled in London for a rally, advocating for a voice in the future of the Chagos Islands. The group expressed anger following the UK government’s announcement last month of a deal that transferred sovereignty of their homeland to the Mauritian government. Dozens of individuals from Crawley, West Sussex, traveled to the rally in Hackney to convey their dismay that Mauritius would assume control of Diego Garcia and the other islands in the Indian Ocean archipelago. The Foreign Office indicated that the government was confident it had finalized an agreement that respected the interests of the Chagossian people. A spokesperson further stated that the government was also confident the agreement satisfied its national security objectives and mitigated a potential migration route. Community leaders and politicians are advocating for an international referendum involving the Chagossian people to enable them to self-determine the sovereignty of the islands. Crawley is recognized as the location of the UK’s largest Chagossian community, with over 3,000 people having settled in the town. Many of these residents traveled to the rally via coaches. Louis, along with his wife Marie and their son Austeen, arrived in Crawley in January. He declared: “We don’t want any more negotiations, we want self-determination. Don’t try to fool Chagossian people. It must remain British islands.” Jean Francois Nellan, a spokesperson for Chagossian Voices, remarked: “If you look at other overseas territories, in the Falklands the people decided they wanted to be British, people from Gibraltar, they decided they wanted to be British. Why can’t Chagossians have the same right?“We have a right for self-determination, this is what we’ve been asking. Do a referendum and ask us if we want to be British or Mauritian.”” Lord Daniel Hannan, a Conservative peer and former South East MEP, was among the politicians who addressed the rally. He urged for a referendum encompassing all Chagos Islanders, who are currently dispersed across the UK, Mauritius, and the Seychelles. Zia Yusuf, chair of Reform UK, declared: “Everything about this deal is appalling.” He further added: “They have not sought permission, they have not sought a mandate, nor have they sought permission from anyone whose lives are going to be affected by this.” Yusuf characterized the Diego Garcia UK military base as “incredibly important” and affirmed their intention to advocate for the Chagossians’ return to the islands under a British flag. The government spokesperson confirmed that Chagossians would maintain their eligibility for British citizenship and were at liberty to establish their homes in the UK.