The suggestion, proposal, or idea or however you may wish to call it is not new. Still, the UK government’s recent decision to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, British Indian Ocean Territory, to the Republic of Mauritius has caused outrage from some and disbelief from others. Still, it has again brought to discussion if other Overseas Territories such as the Falkland Islands and/or Gibraltar need to have representation at Westminster.
The recent deal between UK and the Republic of Mauritius on sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, and the future of their people, has triggered the aspirations of nationalist groups in Spain and mainly in Argentina, claiming sovereignty over Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.
Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino celebrated Thursday's announcement regarding the imminent handover of the British Indian Ocean Territory of Chagos to Mauritius after a dispute of nearly six decades and hinted that a similar path should be followed to ”recover the Malvinas (Falkland).”
The UK Government has confirmed today (Thursday 3 October) that it has reached a political agreement on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. Today’s political agreement is subject to the finalisation of a treaty. Under the terms of this treaty the United Kingdom will agree that Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth, on Tuesday morning.
Another invasion of a British Overseas Territory, peaceful, but which included the flag raising of the disputed islands alleged claimants, plus a presidential message, and the small party dancing of joy for their recovered land? Yes and No.
The Chagossian people are seeking billions of dollars in damages from the United States under the Foreign Claims Act. The United Nations General Assembly, African Union, and International Court of Justice have all found that the forcible deportation of the Chagos Islanders a generation ago to make way for the US military base at Diego Garcia was unlawful and the continued military occupation is a serious violation of international law, according to a release from Chagossians’ lawyer, Dr, Jonathan Levy.
The UK has been accused of committing “crimes against humanity” for refusing to allow people to return to their former homes on the Chagos Islands, despite a ruling earlier this year by the United Nation's highest court.
Boris Johnson, the leading candidate in the current process to replace Theresa May as UK prime minister is open to dialogue on the Falklands/Malvinas issue, said Argentine foreign minister Jorge Faurie during a meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly demanded on Wednesday that Britain give up control over the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean within six months, dealing a diplomatic blow to Britain and the United States.