UK-Mauritius Lease Deal Reignites Territorial Dispute

Published on 5.27.25

  The recent agreement between the UK and Mauritius on a lease deal for the Diego Garcia military base has reignited long-standing debates over sovereignty in the region. The deal, worth £3 billion over 99 years, was triggered by a 2019 International Court of Justice ruling granting sovereignty to Mauritius. This decision has significant implications for the Chagossian diaspora, who have been fighting for their right to return to their native islands. Dugasse, a 68-year-old Seychelles native, is one such individual who was forcibly deported from the Chagos Islands at age 2 and has spent her life in the UK. The deal includes a 24-mile exclusion zone, a UK veto over development on the wider islands, and a ban on foreign security forces. Critics argue that this decision prioritizes national security and taxpayers' money, while supporters see it as necessary for British defense and security interests, citing recent operations launched from Diego Garcia.

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