United Kingdom will return the archipelago of chagos to the Republic of Mauritiusin it indian oceanas both countries announced this Thursday, after a “historic agreement” which will allow the British maintain a joint military base with the US. This agreement may set a precedent regarding the Malvinas Islands, whose sovereignty Argentina claims.
“October 3, 2024. An unforgettable dayto commemorate the full sovereignty of the Republic of Mauritius over its entire territory,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the African country commented on the social network Maneesh Gobin.
The agreement
“After two years of negotiations, this is a crucial moment in our relations and a demonstration of our enduring commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and the rule of law“, noted the United Kingdom and Mauritius in their joint statement.
Under the agreement, the United Kingdom will continue to have rights to the Diego García military base for “an initial period of 99 years”, to ensure its operation “well into the next century”.
The base is located on the largest of the 55 islands that the archipelago includes, a strategic place that plays a “essential role in regional and global security”as noted by British Foreign Office.
“The status of the base will be indisputable and legally secure. The agreement supports the firm duty of the United Kingdom to maintain security in the areawithout changes in the operation of the military base, in an increasingly volatile world,” added the Foreign Office.
Mauritius, a country made up of a group of islands, east of Madagascar, claimed the archipelago since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1968.
Background and future
In 2019, the International Court of Justicebased in Hagueadvised the United Kingdom to renounce control of the islands, a ruling that gained international support, including the UN General Assembly.
The treaty could pave the way for the return of the Chagos Islanders, by speaking of “implementing a resettlement program on the islands”, excluding Diego García.
“This government inherited a situation in which the secure and long-term operation of the Diego García military base was threatened, with sovereignty questioned and ongoing legal challenges. The agreement secures the future of this essential military base,” said the British Labor chancellor, David Lammyin the statement.
“I applaud the historic agreement”the US president said in a statement Joe Bidenwho will maintain the joint military base in Diego Garcia.
Source: Ambito
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