Secret Discussions on Chagos Resettlement Underway After Starmer Pauses Mauritius Treaty
Exclusive reports reveal that UK Government officials are actively exploring alternatives to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's controversial Mauritius agreement regarding the future of the disputed Chagos Islands. This development follows the Foreign Office's confirmation that ratification of the treaty, which would transfer the Indian Ocean islands to Mauritius, has been paused due to opposition from the United States.
Legal Challenges and UN Intervention Sought
Simultaneously, legal representatives of the Chagossian people have submitted a formal request to the United Nations, urging intervention to prevent what they describe as "crimes against humanity" by the Starmer administration. The submission, seen by The Independent, personally names Sir Keir Starmer and argues that removing the Chagossians from their homeland would constitute forced depopulation.
The legal landscape has shifted dramatically following a recent ruling by the British Indian Ocean Territory Court. This judgement overturned previous decisions by establishing that the Chagossians now possess the right of abode on the islands, a development intensified by the current occupation of one island by four Chagossians, led by Misley Mandarin, first minister of their government in exile.
Strategic Importance and International Complications
The Chagos Islands, particularly Diego Garcia, hold immense strategic value as a crucial UK/US military base, recently used for defensive actions against Iran. The stalled Mauritius deal included provisions for the UK to pay up to £51 billion to maintain access to this base. However, with former US President Donald Trump withdrawing support for the transfer, the agreement cannot proceed.
Further complicating matters, the governments of the Maldives and Seychelles have also lodged claims to the islands, creating a multifaceted legal dispute. A source indicated that "discussions are underway over changing the legal framework to allow islanders to return," suggesting serious consideration of alternatives to the Mauritius deal.
Chagossian Vision and Historical Context
James Tumbridge, lawyer for the Chagossians, contends that once the islanders are resettled and establish a British protectorate similar to the Falklands, it would become nearly impossible to hand the territory to another nation. The Mauritian claim, previously supported by the International Court of Justice, was based on the islands being uninhabited and Mauritius having served as the administrative centre during British colonial rule.
The UN submission emphasises that removing the current occupants would "complete the process of depopulation begun decades ago" and "eliminate the living link between the Chagossian people and their homeland." It frames this as a continuation of human rights breaches, potentially amounting to crimes against humanity.
Government Response and Future Implications
In response to these developments, a Foreign Office spokesperson reiterated that Diego Garcia remains a key strategic military asset, with its long-term operational security being the paramount priority. The spokesperson stated: "We continue to believe the agreement is the best way to protect the long-term future of the base, but we have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has US support. We are continuing to engage with the US and Mauritius."
The UK government is appealing the court ruling, but the pause in the Mauritius deal, combined with the secret resettlement discussions and UN involvement, signals a potential humiliating U-turn for Prime Minister Starmer, who had vigorously pursued the original treaty. The situation remains fluid, with the fate of the Chagossians and the strategic Diego Garcia base hanging in the balance.
