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The British government declared on Thursday that it plans to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, concluding a contentious, decades-long dispute over Britain’s last African colony. This agreement ensures the continued operation of a significant U.S.-British military base in the region.

The Chagos Islands, also termed the British Indian Ocean Territory, comprise a set of islands in the Indian Ocean. Diego Garcia, the largest island in the group, accommodates a strategically important military base. The long-standing controversy partly stems from the forced eviction of thousands of Indigenous inhabitants by Britain and the United States to facilitate the base’s construction.

In a joint statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth announced that they had achieved a "historic political agreement on the exercise of sovereignty" over the islands. Although the agreement awaits the finalization of a treaty, both governments pledged to expedite the process. Britain will also offer a financial package to Mauritius, featuring annual payments and a collaboration to develop infrastructure.

Starmer and Jugnauth confirmed their commitment to the "long-term, secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia," including a 99-year lease for the island. The United States and Britain will retain operational control over this critical military asset.

U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the accord, emphasizing Diego Garcia's critical role in national, regional, and global security. Biden highlighted that the base supports operations demonstrating a shared commitment to regional stability, rapid crisis response, and countering security threats.

Despite the settlement, some entities remain discontent. Chagossian Voices, a group representing the displaced islanders, criticized the British government for failing to consult them prior to the announcement. They expressed frustration over being excluded from discussions about their future and the fate of their homeland, demanding full participation in treaty negotiations.

Mauritius has long contended that it was coerced into ceding the islands in exchange for its independence from Britain in 1968. The islands’ population was evicted during the 1960s and 1970s to establish the military base, which remains vital for U.S. global power projection. The base operates as a naval logistics, communications, and refueling hub, with a runway used for long-distance bomber missions to regions such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

The announcement follows two years of talks between Britain and Mauritius. The International Court of Justice, in a 2019 advisory opinion, stated that Britain's continued administration of the Chagos Archipelago “constitutes a wrongful act,” further underscoring the contentious history surrounding these islands.

As part of the new agreement, Mauritius will be allowed to resettle people on the Chagos Islands, excluding Diego Garcia. Human Rights Watch has described the displacement of Chagossians as a "crime against humanity," reflecting the deep and unresolved historical grievances of the Indigenous community.