UK: Report Claims Mauritius Sought £800M/Year in Chagos Islands Deal

Facts

• A report by media outlet The Times has claimed that Mauritius had previously sought £800M/year ($1B) plus "billions of pounds in reparations" as part of a potential deal with the UK to return the Chagos Islands.^[1][2]
• The report — based off the accounts of seven anonymous ministers, aides, diplomats, and lawyers — claims that the figure was suggested during the previous Conservative government, who "balked" at the costs.^[3]
• In October, the two nations announced an agreement for the UK to cede territory of the islands to Mauritius while continuing to run a UK-US military base on Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease. The details of the lease, plus further financial support, have not been disclosed.^[4]
• Since this agreement, newly-elected Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam has submitted a "counter-proposal" after claiming the previous deal "would not produce the benefits that the nation could expect."^[5][6]
• The UK has controlled the territory since 1814 and detached the islands from Mauritius to create the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) in 1965 — three years before Mauritius was granted independence from British colonial rule.^[7]
• Both the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly had sided with Mauritius in their legal claim over the islands, concluding that the UK's decolonization process did not allow Mauritius to complete its right to self-determination and territorial integrity.^[8][9]

Sources: ^[1]LBC, ^[2]GB News, ^[3]The Times, ^[4]BBC News, ^[5]Independent, ^[6]The Telegraph, ^[7]Encyclopedia Britannica, ^[8]Meetings Coverage and Press Releases and ^[9]ICJ.

Narratives

• Left narrative, as provided by Lexpress.mu and Human Rights Watch. The UK owes Mauritius significant reparations for historical injustices, including the forced displacement of the Chagossians. The previous agreement, which accepted a low sum, failed to recognize the true value of Mauritius' maritime resources and agricultural potential. The blue economy, along with sustainable agriculture, offers immense economic opportunities that were overlooked. The UK must provide a fairer settlement, reflecting the full scope of these resources and the harm caused by its colonial actions.
• Right narrative, as provided by The Telegraph and Express. Any Chagos Islands deal risks taxpayers' money and national security. The UK's sovereignty, particularly over Diego Garcia, is crucial for NATO and US defense. Mauritius' claim lacks legal basis, and ceding control could empower adversaries like China. The financial cost, potentially billions, is excessive — driven more by political motives than national interest. Rushing to finalize this deal jeopardizes both the UK's security and taxpayers' interests.