UK's Chagos Islands Agreement Celebrated by Pope as Major Triumph

The Pope commended the recent treaty allowing Mauritius sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, praising it as a victory for Chagossian refugees seeking justice after decades of exile.

Pope Leo XIV expressed his satisfaction with the recent agreement between the UK and Mauritius regarding the Chagos Islands, calling it a "significant victory" for Chagossian refugees. Addressing a group of 15 Chagos Refugees in Vatican City, the Pope highlighted the importance of this deal in their long-standing struggle against what he deemed a "grave injustice."

Under the terms of the treaty signed earlier this year, Mauritius will officially gain sovereignty over the islands, although it will permit the continued operation of a military base by the US and UK on Diego Garcia for an initial 99 years. The Pontiff emphasized his hope that the Mauritian government would facilitate the return of displaced Chagossians to their homeland. However, criticism has arisen from UK opposition leaders and some Chagossians currently living in the UK regarding the arrangement.

In his address, delivered in French, Pope Leo articulated optimism regarding the prospect of refugees returning to their native archipelago, calling it a powerful symbol in international relations. He asserted the necessity of respecting individual identities and rights, particularly highlighting the importance of the right to reside on one's land and the wrongness of forced exile.

The UK acquired the Chagos Islands for £3 million in 1968. In pursuit of independence, Mauritius contends it was coerced into relinquishing control of the islands. Subsequent to this, large populations of Chagossians were forcibly removed to accommodate the strategic military base, with many resettling in Mauritius, Seychelles, or the UK.

As part of the recent agreement, the UK will compensate Mauritius approximately £101 million annually for the next 99 years. The treaty establishes a 24-mile exclusion zone around Diego Garcia, preventing construction without UK approval and restricting access to other islands in the archipelago.

Approval from both the UK and Mauritian parliaments is required for the treaty to take effect. UK Conservatives have condemned the deal as "an act of national self-harm," arguing that it could expose Britain to increased threats from China. However, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended the agreement, underscoring its importance for national security.

Mauritian Attorney General Gavin Glover celebrated the deal, expressing relief that a 60-year struggle may finally have resolved in favor of Mauritius. Nonetheless, two Chagossian women born on Diego Garcia had initiated a last-minute legal challenge against the agreement, which the High Court ultimately dismissed.