UK will give sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

[The_DADDY]

The UK has announced it is giving up sovereignty of a remote but strategically important cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean after more than half a century.

 

The deal – reached after years of negotiations - will see the UK hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in a historic move.

 

This includes the tropical atoll of Diego Garcia, used by the US government as a military base for its navy ships and long-range bomber aircraft.

 

The announcement, made in a joint statement by the UK and Mauritian Prime Ministers, ends decades of often fractious negotiations between the two countries.

 

The US-UK base will remain on Diego Garcia – a key factor enabling the deal to go forward at a time of growing geopolitical rivalries in the region between Western countries, India, and China.

The deal is still subject to finalisation of a treaty, but both sides have promised to complete it as quickly as possible.

 

"This is a seminal moment in our relationship and a demonstration of our enduring commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and the rule of law," the statement from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth read.

 

The leaders also said they were committed "to ensure the long-term, secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia which plays a vital role in regional and global security".

 

The treaty will also "address wrongs of the past and demonstrate the commitment of both parties to support the welfare of Chagossians".

 

The UK will provide a package of financial support to Mauritius, including annual payments and infrastructure investment.

 

Mauritius will also be able to begin a programme of resettlement on the Chagos Islands, but not on Diego Garcia.

 

There, the UK will ensure operation of the military base for "an initial period" of 99 years.

 

US President Joe Biden welcomed the "historic agreement", saying it was a "clear demonstration that through diplomacy and partnership, countries can overcome long-standing historical challenges to reach peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes".

 

He said it secured the future of a key military base which "plays a vital role in national, regional, and global security."

 

But Frankie Bontemps, a second generation Chagossian in the UK, told the BBC that he felt "betrayed" and "angry" at the news because "Chagossians have never been involved" in the negotiations.

 

"We remain powerless and voiceless in determining our own future and the future of our homeland", he said, and called for the full inclusion of Chagossians in drafting the treaty.

 

Your thoughts?

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98ynejg4l5o.amp

[melthebell]

my thoughts?

 

this bits going to annoy certain people

Quote

The UK will provide a package of financial support to Mauritius, including annual payments and infrastructure investment. [/quote]

 

Great stuff lol 😜

Edited Thursday at 13:28 by melthebell

[Al Bundy]

34 minutes ago, melthebell said:

my thoughts?

 

this bits going to annoy certain people

Why would it annoy people, I don't get it, and why is it "great stuff" if it does?

 

What an odd post.

 

 

[melthebell]

1 minute ago, Al Bundy said:

Why would it annoy people, I don't get it, and why is it "great stuff" if it does?

 

What an odd post.

 

 

the bit i quoted goes against what certain people like, not giving foreign aid is always a favourite argument by people of a certain political persuasion. lets see what fuherer Farage has to say on the subject

[High Chaparral]

It's to be hoped Sir Keir Starmer doesn't give away Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands in his commitment to end disputes peacefully. 

[Al Bundy]

25 minutes ago, melthebell said:

the bit i quoted goes against what certain people like, not giving foreign aid is always a favourite argument by people of a certain political persuasion. lets see what fuherer Farage has to say on the subject

Oh right.

 

Why would it be " great stuff"?

 

What's a Fuherer?

[melthebell]

3 minutes ago, High Chaparral said:

It's to be hoped Sir Keir Starmer doesn't give away Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands in his commitment to end disputes peacefully. 

this ones been in negotiations for decades, its not all on Starmers back

[Baron99]

8 minutes ago, High Chaparral said:

It's to be hoped Sir Keir Starmer doesn't give away Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands in his commitment to end disputes peacefully. 

Gibraltar will be down to the Gibraltarias & the Falklands has a massive oil field just about to be developed so I'd say they're not going to be given over. 

[High Chaparral]

21 minutes ago, melthebell said:

this ones been in negotiations for decades, its not all on Starmers back

I'm not blaming Starmer for the give away. It's the comment made by Starmer which is worrying.  I don't trust Starmer's judgement. 

[alchresearch]

20 minutes ago, Baron99 said:

Gibraltar will be down to the Gibraltarias & the Falklands has a massive oil field just about to be developed so I'd say they're not going to be given over. 

 

Milibrand won't like this!

 

https://www.offshore-technology.com/news/uk-cant-stop-falklands-islands-extracting-oil-from-sea-lion-field/