Chagos Island has been known as the British Indian Ocean Territory. Now Britain will give it back to Mauritius, from which the island was separated in 1965. – Today, 56 years after our independence, our decolonization is complete, said the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also been satisfied with the agreement. But Great Britain is not letting go completely – they will rent the largest island in the archipelago for the next hundred years. – The island group has great strategic importance because it lies in the middle of the Indian Ocean, says Øyvind Svendsen, senior researcher at NUPI. Map of each of the Chagos Islands, known as the British Indian Ocean Territory since the 1960s. Disputed and strategically important military base Despite the fact that the Chagos Islands will no longer be a British colony, Great Britain will still have a military base there for the next 99 years. Since the 1960s, Great Britain has leased the island to the United States, which has used it as a military base. The base has been used during the Cold War and in the wars against Iraq and Afghanistan. Image of the island of Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands located in the Indian Ocean. Photo: US Navy / AP In order to establish the base on the main island of Diego Garcia, over 1,000 inhabitants were forcibly relocated shortly after Britain took control of the island. Isabelle Charlot, with roots from the island, told the BBC that the new agreement gave hope that her family could return to the island roots of her father. Others from the island have been dissatisfied that they have not been allowed to be involved in the negotiations. – We are still without power or voice when our future is decided, said Frankie Bontemps to the same channel. Several planes are on the ground, one plane in the air in the island that lies in the Indian Ocean. Photo: AFP Øyvind Svendsen is sure that the Americans have been involved in the decision to release the islands, and add that they have probably received assurances that the military operation can continue. The Americans can be said to be satisfied, US President Joe Biden called the agreement “historic”. Still have over 10 territories Even though Great Britain has now given up the Chagos, they are still not completely free of territory elsewhere in the world. Below you can see the following territories: British Overseas Territory Akrotiri – Europe Anguilla – North America (Caribbean) Bermuda – North America (Atlantic Ocean) British Antarctica – Antarctic British Virgin Islands – North America (Caribbean) Cayman Islands – North America (Caribbean ) Dhekelia – Europe Falkland Islands – South America (South Atlantic) Gibraltar – Europe Montserrat – North America (Caribbean) Pitcairn Islands – Oceania (Pacific) St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha – Africa (South Atlantic) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands – South America (South Atlantic) Turks and Caicos Islands – North America (Caribbean) Great Britain has been under pressure from the outside world to give up the island group. During an earlier vote in the UN, 116 out of 93 member states voted for the island group to be returned. Chagos people led by Olivier Bancoult, on the phone, centre, outside the prime minister’s office in Port Louis, Mauritius, October 3, 2024, following news that Britain had agreed to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Photo: Sokrah Kiranchand / AP The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has said that Britain’s rule violates the right to self-government and Mauritius’ territorial integrity. They, too, have thought that Britain should give her up. The fact that they are doing this now, the researcher believes, has to do with the fact that after Brexit they are trying to build new and strong partnerships around the world. – It is about coming to terms with the colonialist past, says Svendsen. He does not think the return is the start of a new trend, where Britain will give up more overseas territory. – It will probably be out of the question for Britain to give up, for example, Gibraltar or the Falkland Islands in the foreseeable future, Svendsen believes. Øyvind Svendsen, senior researcher at NUPI. Photo: NUPI Criticism from several Britons The decision on the release has not been popular with the British. Several politicians have spoken negatively about it. Among other things, James Cleverly, who wants to become leader of the Conservative Party, called the agreement “weak, weak, weak”. Robert Jenrick, who also wants to become Tory leader, called it a “surrender”. According to Svendsen, it may be that British greatness and the legacy of the British Empire are strong in the minds of many Britons, especially in the identity of many English people. Therefore, he believes that some Britons see it as difficult and as a sign of weakness to give up an important territory. The country still has 14 overseas territories. news has asked the British embassy for a comment, but the request has not yet been answered. Published 05.10.2024, at 09.28
ttn-69
Great Britain returns its last colony to Mauritius, but will still rent it – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
