Chagos Archipelago sovereignty dispute

Islands of the Republic of Mauritius labelled in black

Sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago is disputed between Mauritius and the United Kingdom. Mauritius has repeatedly stated that the Chagos Archipelago is part of its territory and that the United Kingdom (UK) claim is a violation of United Nations resolutions banning the dismemberment of colonial territories before independence. The UK government has stated that it has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Chagos, yet has also said that the Chagos will be given to Mauritius once the islands are no longer required for military purposes. Given the absence of any progress with the UK, Mauritius took up the matter at various legal and political forums.

In 1965, three years before the independence of Mauritius, the United Kingdom split the Chagos Archipelago away from Mauritius, and the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches from the Seychelles, to form the British Indian Ocean Territory. The islands were formally established as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom on 8 November 1965. During UK-US discussions on the Indian Ocean in November 1975, the United Kingdom expressed its intention to return the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches to Seychelles to facilitate its peaceful transition to independence by June 1976. Both the UK and the United States acknowledged that these islands could not be used for defense purposes, as they were populated, and forcibly removing inhabitants, as had occurred in the Chagos Archipelago, would be politically unfeasible. On 18 March 1976, the UK and Seychelles signed an agreement to transfer the islands, which officially returned to Seychelles on its Independence Day, 29 June 1976. The British Indian Ocean Territory now comprises the Chagos Archipelago only.

Between 1967 and 1973, the entire population of the Chagos Archipelago was either prevented from returning or forcibly removed by the United Kingdom. The main forcible removal of Diego Garcia’s population took place in July and September 1971. Mauritius has since been engaged in a sovereignty dispute with the UK, claiming the Chagos Archipelago as part of Mauritius.

In 2004, the UK amended its exclusion clause to block Mauritius from taking the Chagos dispute to the International Court of Justice. This move ensured that even if Mauritius left the Commonwealth, it could not challenge the UK in court.

On 18 March 2015, the Permanent Court of Arbitration unanimously held that the marine protected area (MPA) which the United Kingdom declared around the Chagos Archipelago in April 2010 was created in violation of international law. The Prime Minister of Mauritius stated that this is the first time that the country's conduct with regard to the Chagos Archipelago has been considered and condemned by any international court or tribunal. He described the ruling as an important milestone in the relentless struggle, at the political, diplomatic, and other levels, of successive Governments over the years for the effective exercise by Mauritius of the sovereignty it claims over the Chagos Archipelago. The tribunal considered in detail the undertakings given by the United Kingdom to the Mauritian Ministers at the Lancaster House talks in September 1965. The UK had argued that those undertakings were not binding and had no status in international law. The Tribunal firmly rejected that argument, holding that those undertakings became a binding international agreement upon the independence of Mauritius, and have bound the UK ever since. It found that the UK's commitments towards Mauritius in relation to fishing rights and oil and mineral rights in the Chagos Archipelago are legally binding.

In 22 June 2017, by a margin of 94 to 15 countries, the UN General Assembly asked the International Court of Justice ("ICJ") to give an advisory opinion on the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius before the country's independence in the 1960s. In September 2018, the International Court of Justice began hearings on the case. 17 countries argued in favour of Mauritius. The UK apologised for the "shameful" way islanders were evicted from the Chagos Archipelago but were insistent that Mauritius was wrong to bring the dispute over sovereignty of the strategic atoll group to the United Nations’ highest court. The UK and its allies argued that this matter should not be decided by the court but should be resolved through bilateral negotiations, while bilateral discussions with Mauritius have been unfruitful over the past 50 years. On 25 February 2019, the judges of the International Court of Justice by thirteen votes to one stated that the United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible. Only the American judge, Joan Donoghue, voted in favor of the UK. The president of the court, Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, said the detachment of the Chagos Archipelago in 1965 from Mauritius had not been based on a "free and genuine expression of the people concerned." "This continued administration constitutes a wrongful act," he said, adding "The UK has an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible and that all member states must co-operate with the United Nations to complete the decolonization of Mauritius."

The Maldives has a dispute with Mauritius with regards to the limit of its Exclusive Economic Zone (“EEZ”) and the EEZ of the Chagos Archipelago. In June 2019, Mauritius initiated arbitral proceedings against the Maldives at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (“ITLOS”) to delimit its maritime boundary between the Maldives and the Chagos Archipelago. Among its preliminary objections, the Maldives argued that there was an unresolved sovereignty dispute between Mauritius and the UK over the Chagos Archipelago, which fell outside the scope of the ITLOS’s jurisdiction. On 28 January 2021, the ITLOS concluded that the dispute between the UK and Mauritius had in fact already been determinatively resolved by the ICJ’s earlier Advisory Opinion, and that there was therefore no bar to jurisdiction. The ITLOS rejected all five of the Maldives’ preliminary objections and found that Mauritius claims is admissible.

On 3 November 2022, it was announced that the United Kingdom and Mauritius had decided to begin negotiations on sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, taking into account the recent international legal proceedings.

A segment of the Chagossian community, particularly those with British citizenship residing in the UK, favor continued British sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, expressing concerns that their interests may not be fully safeguarded under Mauritian administration. However, many Chagossians, including those in Mauritius, support Mauritian sovereignty. The Chagos Refugees Group, the largest Chagossian advocacy organization, has been a leading voice for this position. Its leader, Olivier Bancoult, described the UK's decision to return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius and allow Chagossians to resettle on the outer islands as a significant step and an acknowledgment of past injustices.

History

The Constitution of Mauritius states that the Outer islands of Mauritius includes the islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agaléga, Cargados Carajos and the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia and any other island comprised in the State of Mauritius. The Government of the Republic of Mauritius has stated that it does not recognise the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) which the United Kingdom created by excising the Chagos Archipelago from the territory of Mauritius prior to its independence, and claims that the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia forms an integral part of the territory of Mauritius under both Mauritian law and international law.

In 1965, the United Kingdom split the Chagos Archipelago away from Mauritius with the agreement of the Mauritian government, and the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches from the Seychelles, to form the British Indian Ocean Territory. The islands were formally established as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom on 8 November 1965. However, with effect from 23 June 1976, Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches were returned to the Seychelles on their attaining independence.

In 2012, the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement have expressed unanimous support for Mauritius. On 18 March 2015, the Permanent Court of Arbitration unanimously held that the marine protected area (MPA) which the United Kingdom declared around the Chagos Archipelago in April 2010 was created in violation of international law. The Prime Minister of Mauritius has stated that this is the first time that the country's conduct with regard to the Chagos Archipelago has been considered and condemned by any international court or tribunal. He described the ruling as an important milestone in the relentless struggle, at the political, diplomatic, and other levels, of successive Governments over the years for the effective exercise by Mauritius of the sovereignty it claims over the Chagos Archipelago. The tribunal considered in detail the undertakings given by the United Kingdom to the Mauritian Ministers at the Lancaster House talks in September 1965. The UK had argued that those undertakings were not binding and had no status in international law. The Tribunal firmly rejected that argument, holding that those undertakings became a binding international agreement upon the independence of Mauritius, and have bound the UK ever since. It found that the UK's commitments towards Mauritius in relation to fishing rights and oil and mineral rights in the Chagos Archipelago are legally binding.

Historical background

Beginning in the late 15th century, Portuguese explorers began to venture into the Indian Ocean and recorded the location of Mauritius and the other Mascarene Islands, Rodrigues and Réunion (the latter presently a French overseas department). In the 16th century, the Portuguese were joined by Dutch and English sailors, both nations having established East India Companies to exploit the commercial opportunities of the Indian Ocean and the Far East. Although Mauritius was used as a stopping point in the long voyages to and from the Indian Ocean, no attempt was made to establish a permanent settlement.

The first permanent colony in Mauritius was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1638. The Dutch maintained a small presence on Mauritius, with a brief interruption, until 1710 at which point the Dutch East India Company abandoned the island. Following the Dutch departure, the French government took possession of Mauritius in 1715, renaming it the Île de France.

The Chagos Archipelago was known during this period, appearing on Portuguese charts as early as 1538, but remained largely untouched. France progressively claimed and surveyed the Archipelago in the mid-18th century and granted concessions for the establishment of coconut plantations, leading to permanent settlement. Throughout this period, France administered the Chagos Archipelago as a dependency of the Ile de France.

In 1810, the British captured the Ile de France and renamed it Mauritius. By the Treaty of Paris of 30 May 1814, France ceded the Ile de France and all its dependencies (including the Chagos Archipelago) to the United Kingdom.

The British Administration of Mauritius and the Chagos Archipelago

From the date of the cession by France until 8 November 1965, when the Chagos Archipelago was detached from the colony of Mauritius, the Archipelago was administered by the United Kingdom as a Dependency of Mauritius. During this period, the economy of the Chagos Archipelago was primarily driven by the coconut plantations and the export of copra (dried coconut flesh) for the production of oil, although other activities developed as the population of the Archipelago expanded. British administration over the Chagos Archipelago was exercised by various means, including by visits to the Chagos Archipelago made by Special Commissioners and Magistrates from Mauritius.

Although the broad outlines of British Administration of the colony during this period are not in dispute, the Parties disagree as to the extent of economic activity in the Chagos Archipelago and its significance for Mauritius, and on the significance of the Archipelago's status as a dependency. Mauritius contends that there were "close economic, cultural and social links between Mauritius and the Chagos Archipelago" and that "the administration of the Chagos Archipelago as a constituent part of Mauritius continued without interruption throughout that period of British rule". The United Kingdom, in contrast, submits that the Chagos Archipelago was only "very loosely administered from Mauritius" and "in law and in fact quite distinct from the Island of Mauritius." The United Kingdom further contends that "the islands had no economic relevance to Mauritius, other than as a supplier of coconut oil" and that, in any event, economic, social and cultural ties between the Chagos Archipelago and Mauritius during this period are irrelevant to the Archipelago's legal status.

The independence of Mauritius

Beginning in 1831, the administration of the British Governor of Mauritius was supplemented by the introduction of a Council of Government, originally composed of ex-officio members and members nominated by the Governor. The composition of this council was subsequently democratized through the progressive introduction of elected members. In 1947, the adoption of a new Constitution for Mauritius replaced the Council of Government with separate Legislative and Executive Councils. The Legislative Council was composed of the Governor as president, 19 elected members, 12 members nominated by the Governor and 3 ex-officio members.

The first election of the Legislative Council took place in 1948, and the Mauritius Labour Party (the "MLP") secured 12 of the 19 seats available for elected members. The MLP strengthened its position in the 1953 election by securing 14 of the available seats, although the MLP lacked an overall majority in the Legislative Council because of the presence of a number of members appointed by the Governor.

The 1953 election marked the beginning of Mauritius’ move towards independence. Following that election, Mauritian representatives began to press the British Government for universal suffrage, a ministerial system of government and greater elected representation in the Legislative Council. By 1959, the MLP-led government had openly adopted the goal of complete independence.

Constitutional Conferences were held in 1955, 1958, 1961, and 1965, resulting in a new constitution in 1958 and the creation of the post of Chief Minister in 1961 (renamed as the Premier after 1963). In 1962 Seewoosagur Ramgoolam became the Chief Minister within a Council of Ministers chaired by the Governor and, following the 1963 election, formed an all-party coalition government to pursue negotiations with the British on independence.

The final Constitutional Conference was held in London in September 1965 and was principally concerned with the debate between those Mauritian political leaders favouring independence and those preferring some form of continued association with the United Kingdom. On 24 September 1965, the responsible UK government minister, Anthony Greenwood, announced that the UK intended for Mauritius to become independent. Mauritius became independent on 12 March 1968. Section 111 of the Constitution of Mauritius states that "Mauritius" includes –

(a) the Islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agaléga, Tromelin, Cargados Carajos and the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia and any other island comprised in the State of Mauritius;
(b) the territorial sea and the air space above the territorial sea and the islands specified in paragraph (a);
(c) the continental shelf; and
(d) such places or areas as may be designated by regulations made by the Prime Minister, rights over which are or may become exercisable by Mauritius.

Detachment of the Chagos Archipelago

During negotiations on granting Mauritian independence, the UK proposed to separate the Chagos Archipelago from the colony of Mauritius, with the UK retaining the Chagos under British control. According to Mauritius, the proposal stemmed from a UK decision in the early 1960s to "accommodate the United States’ desire to use certain islands in the Indian Ocean for defence purposes."

The record before the Permanent Court of Arbitration sets out a series of bilateral talks between the United Kingdom and the United States in 1964 at which the two States decided that, in order to execute the plans for a military facility in the Chagos Archipelago, the United Kingdom would "provide the land, and security of tenure, by detaching islands and placing them under direct U.K. administration."

The suitability of Diego Garcia as the site of the planned military base was determined following a joint survey of the Chagos Archipelago and certain islands of the Seychelles in 1964. Following the survey, the United States sent its proposals to the United Kingdom, identifying Diego Garcia as its first preference as the site for the military facility. The United Kingdom and the United States conducted further negotiations between 1964 and 1965 regarding the desirability of "detachment of the entire Chagos Archipelago," as well as the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar and Desroches (then part of the Colony of the Seychelles). They further discussed the terms of compensation that would be required "to secure the acceptance of the proposals by the local Governments."

On 19 July 1965, the Governor of Mauritius was instructed to communicate the proposal to detach the Chagos Archipelago to the Mauritius Council of Ministers and to report back on the council's reaction. The initial reaction of the Mauritian Ministers, conveyed by the Governor's report of 23 July 1965, was a request for more time to consider the proposal. The report also noted that Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam expressed "dislike of detachment". At the next meeting of the council on 30 July 1965, the Mauritian Ministers indicated that detachment would be "unacceptable to public opinion in Mauritius" and proposed the alternative of a long-term lease, coupled with safeguards for mineral rights and a preference for Mauritius if fishing or agricultural rights were ever granted. The Parties differ in their understanding of the strength of, and motivation for, the Mauritian reaction. In any event, on 13 August 1965, the Governor of Mauritius informed the Mauritian Ministers that the United States objected to the proposal of a lease.

Discussions over the detachment of the Chagos Archipelago continued in a series of meetings between certain Mauritian political leaders, including Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Anthony Greenwood, coinciding with the Constitutional Conference of September 1965 in London. Over the course of three meetings, the Mauritian leaders pressed the United Kingdom with respect to the compensation offered for Mauritian agreement to the detachment of the Archipelago, noting the involvement of the United States in the establishment of the defence facility and Mauritius’ need for continuing economic support (for example through a higher quota for Mauritius sugar imports into the United States), rather than the lump sum compensation being proposed by the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom took the firm position that obtaining concessions from the United States was not feasible; the United Kingdom did, however, increase the level of lump sum compensation on offer from £1 million to £3 million and introduced the prospect of a commitment that the Archipelago would be returned to Mauritius when no longer needed for defence purposes. The Mauritian leaders also met with the Economic Minister at the U.S. Embassy in London on the question of sugar quotas, and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam met privately with Prime Minister Harold Wilson on the morning of 23 September 1965. The United Kingdom's record of this conversation records Prime Minister Wilson having told Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam that

in theory, there were a number of possibilities. The Premier and his colleagues could return to Mauritius either with Independence or without it. On the Defence point, Diego Garcia could either be detached by order in Council or with the agreement of the Premier and his colleagues. The best solution of all might be Independence and detachment by agreement, although he could not of course commit the Colonial Secretary at this point.

The meetings culminated in the afternoon of 23 September 1965 (the "Lancaster House Meeting") in a provisional agreement on the part of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and his colleagues to agree in principle to the detachment of the Archipelago in exchange for the Secretary of State recommending certain actions by the United Kingdom to the Cabinet. The draft record of the Lancaster House Meeting set out the following:

Summing up the discussion, the SECRETARY OF STATE asked whether he could inform his colleagues that Dr. Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Mr. Bissoondoyal and Mr. Mohamed were prepared to agree to the detachment of the Chagos Archipelago on the understanding that he would recommend to his colleagues the following:-

• (i) negotiations for a defence agreement between Britain and Mauritius;
• (ii) in the event of independence an understanding between the two governments that they would consult together in the event of a difficult internal security situation arising in Mauritius;
• (iii) compensation totalling up to [illegible] Mauritius Government over and above direct compensation to landowners and the cost of resettling others affected in the Chagos Islands;
• (iv) the British Government should use its good offices with the United States Government in support of Mauritius’ request for concessions over sugar imports and the supply of wheat and other commodities;
• (v) that the British Government would do their best to persuade the American Government to use labour and materials from Mauritius for construction work in the islands;
• (vi) that if the need for the facilities on the islands disappeared the islands should be returned to Mauritius. Seewoosagur Ramgoolam said that this was acceptable to him and Messrs. Bissoondoyal and Mohamed in principle but he expressed the wish to discuss it with his other ministerial colleagues.

Thereafter, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam addressed a handwritten note to the Under-Secretary of State at the Colonial Office, Mr Trafford Smith, setting out further conditions relating to navigational and meteorological facilities on the Archipelago, fishing rights, emergency landing facilities, and the benefit of mineral or oil discoveries.

On 6 October 1965, instructions were sent to the Governor of Mauritius to secure "early confirmation that the Mauritius Government is willing to agree that Britain should now take the necessary legal steps to detach the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius on the conditions enumerated in (i)–(viii) in paragraph 22 of the enclosed record [of the Lancaster House Meeting]." The Secretary of State went on to note that -

5. As regards points (iv), (v) and (vi) the British Government will make appropriate representation to the American Government as soon as possible. You will be kept fully informed of the progress of these representations.

6. The Chagos Archipelago will remain under British sovereignty, and Her Majesty’s Government have taken careful note of points (vii) and (viii).

On 5 November 1965, the Governor of Mauritius informed the Colonial Office as follows:

Council of Ministers today confirmed agreement to the detachment of Chagos Archipelago on conditions enumerated, on the understanding that

(1) statement in paragraph 6 of your despatch "H.M.G. have taken careful note of points (vii) and (viii)" means H.M.G. have in fact agreed to them.

(2) As regards (vii) undertaking to Legislative Assembly excludes (a) sale or transfer by H.M.G. to third party or (b) any payment or financial obligation by Mauritius as condition of return.

(3) In (viii) "on or near" means within area within which Mauritius would be able to derive benefit but for change of sovereignty. I should be grateful if you would confirm this understanding is agreed.

The Governor also noted that "Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate (PMSD) Ministers dissented and (are now) considering their position in the government." The Parties differ regarding the extent to which Mauritian consent to the detachment was given voluntarily.

The detachment of the Chagos Archipelago was effected by the establishment of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) on 8 November 1965 by Order in Council. Pursuant to the Order in Council, the governance of the newly created BIOT was made the responsibility of the office of the BIOT Commissioner, appointed by the Queen upon the advice of the United Kingdom FCO. The BIOT Commissioner is assisted in the day-to-day management of the territory by a BIOT Administrator.

On the same day, the Secretary of State cabled the Governor of Mauritius as follows:

As already stated in paragraph 6 of my despatch No. 423, the Chagos Archipelago will remain under British sovereignty. The islands are required for defence facilities and there is no intention of permitting prospecting for minerals or oils on or near them. The points set out in your paragraph 1 should not therefore arise but I shall nevertheless give them further consideration in view of your request.

On 12 November 1965, the Governor of Mauritius cabled the Colonial Office, querying whether the Mauritian Ministers could make public reference to the items in paragraph 22 of the record of the Lancaster House Meeting and adding "[i]n this connection I trust further consideration promised . . . will enable categorical assurances to be given."

On 19 November 1965, the Colonial Office cabled the Governor of Mauritius as follows: U.K./U.S. defence interests;

1. There is no objection to Ministers referring to points contained in paragraph 22 of enclosure to Secret despatch No. 423 of 6 October so long as qualifications contained in paragraphs 5 and 6 of the despatch are borne in mind.

2. It may well be some time before we can give final answers regarding points (iv), (v) and (vi) of paragraph 22 and as you know we cannot be at all hopeful for concessions over sugar imports and it would therefore seem unwise for anything to be said locally which would raise expectations on this point.

3. As regards point (vii) the assurance can be given provided it is made clear that a decision about the need to retain the islands must rest entirely with the United Kingdom Government and that it would not (repeat not) be open to the Government of Mauritius to raise the matter, or press for the return of the islands on its own initiative.

4. As stated in paragraph 2 of my telegram No. 298 there is no intention of permitting prospecting for minerals and oils. The question of any benefits arising therefrom should not [. . .] [illegible]7

There is no objection to Ministers referring to points contained in paragraph 22 of enclosure to Secret despatch No. 423 of 6 October so long as qualifications contained in paragraphs 5 and 6 of the despatch are borne in mind. 2. It may well be some time before we can give final answers regarding points (iv), (v) and (vi) of paragraph 22 and as you know we cannot be at all hopeful for concessions over sugar imports and it would therefore seem unwise for anything to be said locally which would raise expectations on this point. 3. As regards point (vii) the assurance can be given provided it is made clear that a decision about the need to retain the islands must rest entirely with the United Kingdom Government and that it would not (repeat not) be open to the Government of Mauritius to raise the matter, or press for the return of the islands on its own initiative.

A few weeks after the proposal to detach the islands from Mauritius, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 2066(XX) on 16 December 1965, which stated that detaching part of a colonial territory was against customary international law and the UN Resolution 1514 passed on 14 December 1960. This resolution stated that "Any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and the territorial integrity of a country is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations."

Depopulation

Main article: Expulsion of the Chagossians

Diplomatic cable signed by D.A. Greenhill, 1966, relating to the depopulation of the Chagos Archipelago stating "Unfortunately along with the birds go some few Tarzans or Men Fridays."

After initially denying that the islands were inhabited, British officials forcibly expelled approximately 2,000 Chagossians to mainland Mauritius to allow the United States to establish a military base on Diego Garcia. Since 1971, the atoll of Diego Garcia is inhabited by some 3,000 UK and US military and civilian contracted personnel. The British and American governments routinely deny Chagossian requests for the right of return.

Marine protected area

Main article: Chagos Marine Protected Area

A marine protected area (MPA) around the Chagos Islands known as the Chagos Marine Protected Area was created by the British Government on 1 April 2010 and enforced on 1 November 2010. It is the world's largest official reserve, twice the size of Great Britain. The designation proved controversial as the decision was announced during a period when the UK Parliament was in recess. Despite the official designation as a marine reserve, the US military is fully exempt from fishing restrictions and the military base has been a major source of pollution to the area.

A leaked diplomatic cable dating back to 2009 reveal the British and US role in creating the marine nature reserve. The cable relays exchanges between US Political Counselor Richard Mills and British Director of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Colin Roberts, in which Roberts "asserted that establishing a marine park would, in effect, put paid to resettlement claims of the archipelago’s former residents." Richard Mills concludes:

Establishing a marine reserve might, indeed, as the FCO's Roberts stated, be the most effective long-term way to prevent any of the Chagos Islands' former inhabitants or their descendants from resettling in the [British Indian Ocean Territory].

Resettlement study

In March 2014, it was reported that the UK government would send experts to the islands to examine "options and risks" of resettlement.

Legal proceedings

Case before Permanent Court of Arbitration

Main article: Mauritius v United Kingdom

The Government of Mauritius initiated proceedings on 20 December 2010 against the UK Government under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to challenge the legality of the ‘marine protected area’. Mauritius argues that Britain breached a UN resolution when it separated Chagos from the rest of the colony of Mauritius in the 1960s, before the country became independent, and that Britain therefore doesn't have the right to declare the area a marine reserve and that the MPA was not compatible with the rights of the Chagossians. The dispute was arbitrated by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The sovereignty of Mauritius was explicitly recognized by two of the arbitrators and denied by none of the other three. Three members of the Tribunal found that they did not have jurisdiction to rule on that question; they expressed no view as to which of the two States has sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. Tribunal Judges Rüdiger Wolfrum and James Kateka held that the Tribunal did have jurisdiction to decide this question, and concluded that UK does not have sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. They found that:

• internal United Kingdom documents suggested an ulterior motive behind the MPA, noting disturbing similarities and a common pattern between the establishment of the so-called "BIOT" in 1965 and the proclamation of the MPA in 2010;
• the excision of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965 shows a complete disregard for the territorial integrity of Mauritius by the UK;
• UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson's threat to Premier Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam in 1965 that he could return home without independence if he did not consent to the excision of the Chagos Archipelago amounted to duress; Mauritian Ministers were coerced into agreeing to the detachment of the Chagos Archipelago, which violated the international law of self-determination;
• the MPA is legally invalid.

On 18 March 2015, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that the Chagos Marine Protected Area was illegal. The Tribunal's decision determined that the UK's undertaking to return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius gives Mauritius an interest in significant decisions that bear upon possible future uses of the archipelago. The result of the Tribunal's decision is that it is now open to the Parties to enter into the negotiations that the Tribunal would have expected prior to the proclamation of the MPA, with a view to achieving a mutually satisfactory arrangement for protecting the marine environment, to the extent necessary under a "sovereignty umbrella".

International Court of Justice

See also: Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965

Amendment of exclusion clause by UK

In 2004, following the decision of the British government to promulgate the British Indian Ocean Territory Order, which prohibited the Chagossians from remaining on the islands without express authorisation, Mauritius contemplated recourse to the International Court of Justice to finally and conclusively settle the dispute. However, article 36 of the International Court of Justice Statute provides that it is the option of the state whether it wishes to subject itself to the court's jurisdiction. Where the state chooses to be so bound, it may also restrict or limit the jurisdiction of the court in a number of ways. The UK's clause deposited at the court excluded, amongst other things, the jurisdiction of the court with regard "to any disputes with the government of any country which is a member of the Commonwealth with regard to situations or facts existing before 1 January 1969". The temporal limitation of 1 January 1969 was inserted to exclude all disputes arising during decolonisation. The effect of the British exclusionary clause would thus have prevented Mauritius from resorting to the court on the Chagos dispute because it is a member of the Commonwealth. When Mauritius threatened to leave the Commonwealth, the United Kingdom quickly amended its exclusion clause to exclude any disputes between itself, Commonwealth States and former Commonwealth States, thereby quashing any Mauritian hopes to ever have recourse to the contentious jurisdiction of the court, even if it left.

Advisory Opinion

On 23 June 2017, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted in favour of referring the territorial dispute between Mauritius and the UK to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in order to clarify the legal status of the Chagos Islands archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The motion was approved by a majority vote with 94 voting for and 15 against. In September 2018, the International Court of Justice began hearings on the case. Seventeen countries have argued in favour of Mauritius. The UK apologised for the "shameful" way islanders were evicted from the Chagos Archipelago but were insistent that Mauritius was wrong to bring the dispute over sovereignty of the strategic atoll group to the United Nations' highest court. The UK and its allies argued that this matter should not be decided by the court but should be resolved through bilateral negotiations, while bilateral discussions with Mauritius have been unfruitful over the past 50 years.

On 25 February 2019, the judges of the International Court of Justice by thirteen votes to one stated that the United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible. Only the American judge, Joan Donoghue, voted in favor of the UK. The president of the court, Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, said the detachment of the Chagos Archipelago in 1965 from Mauritius had not been based on a "free and genuine expression of the people concerned". "This continued administration constitutes a wrongful act", he said, adding "The UK has an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible and that all member states must co-operate with the United Nations to complete the decolonization of Mauritius." Largely because of the detachment of the islands, the ICJ determined that the decolonization of Mauritius was still not lawfully completed. On 1 May 2019, the UK Foreign Office minister Alan Duncan stated that Mauritius has never held sovereignty over the archipelago and the UK does not recognise its claim. He stated that the ruling was merely an advisory opinion and not a legally binding judgment. Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the UK's main opposition party, wrote to the UK PM condemning her decision to defy a ruling of the UN's principal court that concluded that Britain should hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. He expressed his concern that the UK government appears ready to disregard international law and ignore a ruling of the international court and the right of the Chagossians to return to their homes.

Legal Consequences

While the UN advisory opinion and resolutions are not legally binding, it carries significant political weight since the ruling came from the UN's highest court and the assembly vote reflects world opinion. The ruling of the ICJ would be similar if the UK agreed to go for a contentious case. The resolution also has immediate practical consequences: the UN, its specialised agencies, and all other international organisations are now bound, as a matter of UN law, to support the decolonisation of Mauritius even if the UK continue to claim that it has no doubt about its sovereignty.

UN Resolution

On 22 May 2019, the United Nations General Assembly debated and adopted a resolution that affirmed that the Chagos Archipelago, which has been occupied by the UK for more than 50 years, "forms an integral part of the territory of Mauritius". The resolution gives effect to an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), demanded that the UK "withdraw its colonial administration ... unconditionally within a period of no more than six months". 116 states voted in favour of the resolution, 55 abstained and only Australia, Hungary, Israel and Maldives supported the UK and US. During the debate, the Mauritian Prime Minister described the expulsion of Chagossians as "a crime against humanity".

Changes in Official UN Maps

Updated UN Map Map No. 4170 Revision 18.1 depicting the Chagos Archipelago as Mauritian Territory

Following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion in 2019 and the subsequent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution, several international organizations updated their official maps to reflect Mauritius' sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. The United Nations (UN), in compliance with the UNGA resolution, amended its official map on 20 February 2020 with Map No. 4170 Revision 18.1, recognizing the Chagos Islands as part of Mauritius instead of British territory.

Case before International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

The Maldives is involved in a dispute with Mauritius regarding the boundaries of their respective Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), particularly in relation to the EEZ of the Chagos Archipelago. In June 2019, Mauritius initiated arbitral proceedings against the Maldives at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) to resolve the maritime boundary between the Maldives and the Chagos Archipelago. Among its preliminary objections, the Maldives argued that a sovereignty dispute existed between Mauritius and the United Kingdom over the Chagos Archipelago, and that this issue fell outside ITLOS's jurisdiction. On 28 January 2021, ITLOS ruled that the sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Mauritius had already been definitively addressed through the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) earlier Advisory Opinion, which affirmed that the United Kingdom has no sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. Consequently, ITLOS declared there was no jurisdictional barrier, dismissing all five of the Maldives' preliminary objections and accepting Mauritius' claims as admissible.

Universal Postal Union banned BIOT stamps

The Universal Postal Union (UPU), a UN specialized agency for postal matters, officially recognized the Chagos Archipelago as part of Mauritius on 27 August 2021. The decision was made during the 27th Universal Postal Congress in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, with 77 votes in favor, 6 against, and 41 abstentions. As a result, the UPU will no longer register, distribute, or forward postage stamps from the "British Indian Ocean Territory," which previously included the Chagos Archipelago. This follows the 2019 UN General Assembly directive, based on advice from the International Court of Justice, affirming Mauritius' sovereignty over the archipelago. The UPU, as a UN agency, is required to align with UN decisions, bringing the matter to its governing body for resolution. All post from the Chagos Islands must now bear stamps from Mauritius and stamps marked British Indian Ocean Territory now won't be recognised.

Amendment to Mauritius Criminal Code

Section 76B of the Criminal Code in Mauritius was introduced through the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2021, which was amended on 26 November 2021. This provision aims to protect Mauritius’ territorial integrity by criminalizing actions that misrepresent its sovereignty over any part of its territory.

Prohibited Actions

The law applies to individuals acting under the authority, instructions, or financial support (direct or indirect) of a foreign state. Offenses include:

• Producing, distributing, or marketing coins, stamps, maps, or official documents that misrepresent Mauritius' sovereignty.
• Instructing others to engage in such activities.

Definition of a Foreign State

A "foreign state" under this provision refers to any country that an international court or tribunal has determined to have no valid claim over any part of Mauritius' territory.

Penalties and Jurisdiction

Persons found guilty of violating this law may face:

• A fine of up to 5 million Mauritian rupees
• Imprisonment for up to 10 years

The law applies extraterritorially, meaning that offenses committed outside Mauritius are still considered as having been committed within the country. The Intermediate Court has jurisdiction over such cases and can impose the prescribed penalties.

UK's Status in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

In May 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organization issued a legal opinion asserting that the United Kingdom should no longer be recognized as a "coastal state" in the Indian Ocean, due to the disputed status of the Chagos Archipelago. This position follows UN General Assembly resolution 73/295, which affirms the Chagos Archipelago as part of Mauritius. Consequently, the UK is now considered a state that fishes in the region but does not hold the rights or obligations of a coastal state under the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission framework.

2022-2025 Negotiations

On 3 November 2022, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, James Cleverly, stated that the United Kingdom and Mauritius had committed to negotiating an agreement based on international law to resolve outstanding issues, including those concerning the former inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago. This agreement aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation on regional and global security challenges, particularly in the Indian Ocean. Key areas of focus include maritime security, environmental conservation, climate change, human rights, and efforts to combat illegal migration, fishing, drug, and arms trafficking. Cleverly also reaffirmed that any agreement would ensure the continued effective operation of the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, recognizing its strategic importance. The negotiations will also consider the interests of key regional partners, including the United States and India. The UK and Mauritius have agreed to engage in constructive discussions with the goal of reaching an agreement by early next year.

On 3 October 2024, the UK and Mauritius issued a joint statement, affirming Mauritius' sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago while granting the UK continued control over Diego Garcia for 99 years. This agreement implicitly indicates that the UK will maintain sovereignty over Diego Garcia, which hosts a critical military base. Additionally, provisions for Chagossians, regional security, and environmental cooperation are included, strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

In his October 2024 statement on the Chagos Islands, Foreign Secretary David Lammy discussed the contested status of the territory and the UK-US military base. He emphasized the unsustainability of the status quo and the inevitability of a binding judgment against the UK. Lammy acknowledged the only viable path was negotiating a deal to ensure the base's continued operation and international law compliance, avoiding the choice of abandoning the base or breaking international law.

After the general elections in Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam became the Prime Minister on 13 November 2024. Upon assuming office, Ramgoolam received a letter from British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on 12 November 2024, informing him of plans to send British political envoy Mr. Jonathan Powell to Mauritius. On 25 November 2024, Powell arrived in Mauritius and briefed the Prime Minister on the current status of the agreement. During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed surprise that the agreement had been made shortly before the dissolution of Parliament, with the opposition being unaware of the negotiations.

On 20 December 2024, the UK and Mauritius issued a joint statement outlining their commitment to resolving the sovereignty dispute over the Chagos Archipelago. The agreement will transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while preserving the operations of the Diego Garcia military base. Both nations have pledged to complete the treaty process promptly.

Following Powell’s visit, the Prime Minister ordered an independent review of the confidential draft agreement. The document, which had been presented to the new Mauritian government after the 2024 general elections, was unknown to the officials before the change in leadership. This review was conducted by an inter-ministerial committee comprising the Deputy Prime Minister, Attorney General, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade.

A senior delegation from the United Kingdom visited Mauritius from 9–12 December 2024 to engage in further discussions. While meetings were held between the senior officials of both countries, the UK delegation also met with the Prime Minister to discuss the specifics of the draft agreement. Mauritius expressed its willingness to conclude an agreement but made it clear that the draft presented did not meet the nation’s expectations. The government proposed counterproposals to the United Kingdom, seeking to negotiate terms that were more favourable to Mauritius.

On 16 December 2024, the United Kingdom responded to Mauritius' counterproposals. These responses were considered by the inter-ministerial committee, which led to a further exchange of proposals. On 31 December 2024, Mauritius submitted its final response and suggested a meeting in London to finalize the agreement.

On 13 January 2025, the governments of the UK and Mauritius issued a joint statement regarding the Chagos Archipelago. They affirmed progress in their discussions, working towards a treaty that would establish Mauritius as the sovereign authority over the archipelago while ensuring the continued operation of the Diego Garcia base. The talks are ongoing, aiming to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

On 15 January 2025, a special Cabinet meeting was convened to discuss the progress of the negotiations. However, before the meeting, Mauritius was informed by the UK that, in light of the imminent change in the United States administration, they would await the views of the new US administration before finalizing the agreement. Despite this, a delegation from Mauritius, led by the Attorney General, travelled to the UK on 16–17 January 2025 to continue discussions. During these meetings, UK officials, including Lord Hermer and Under Secretary of State Stephen Doughty, reassured the Mauritian delegation of the UK's commitment to signing the agreement. The Mauritian government expressed strong concerns about the draft agreement proposed by the UK, citing several key issues that needed to be addressed:

• Sovereignty: The agreement failed to clearly affirm full sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.
• Duration and Renewal: The agreement proposed a 99-year term, with the UK having the unilateral right to extend the agreement for an additional 40 years without Mauritian input.
• Economic Terms: The financial terms of the agreement were criticized for being poorly negotiated, with inflation and currency exchange rates not adequately factored in.

The Mauritian government rejected the draft, arguing that it was a “sell-out” and that the terms would not benefit the nation in the long term. The Prime Minister insisted that the agreement needed to be renegotiated to secure better terms for Mauritius. The British Prime Minister, in a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Mauritius on 2 February 2025, indicated that the UK government intended to proceed with the agreement on the Chagos Archipelago. While the agreement had reached a near-final stage, the UK’s decision to wait for the new US administration’s views delayed the signing. However, the Mauritian government remained confident that a resolution would be reached shortly, with the Prime Minister stating that negotiations would continue with the aim of securing a mutually beneficial agreement.

On 5 February 2025, Stephen Doughty, the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, emphasized that international legal rulings have cast doubt on Britain's sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, making a deal with Mauritius crucial to ensuring the continued operation of the US military base on Diego Garcia. He highlighted the UK's control over the electromagnetic spectrum used for satellite communications, governed by the International Telecommunication Union, noting that while Britain could still communicate without it, others could also use the spectrum, threatening the base's security. Doughty further outlined the UK's full control over Diego Garcia, including a buffer zone and mechanisms to prevent interference, underscoring that a future deal with Mauritius would secure the base's operations and national security, free from external risks.

On 27 February 2025, speaking in the Oval Office alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he was willing to support the agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

See also

• List of sovereign states and dependent territories in the Indian Ocean
• Sovereignty disputes of the United Kingdom
• List of islands in Chagos Archipelago
• List of territorial disputes

External links

• Who Owns Diego Garcia? Decolonisation and Indigenous Rights in the Indian Ocean
• Ruling of THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL about the CHAGOS MARINE PROTECTED AREA
• Loft, Philip (22 November 2022). "British Indian Ocean Territory: UK to negotiate sovereignty 2022/23" (PDF). House of Commons Library. UK Parliament.
• Let Us Return USA!
• About Chagos Archipelago in Governenment of Mauritius website

Film and video

• Chagos: A Documentary Film
• Stealing a Nation (TV documentary, 2004), a Special Report by John Pilger