Mauritius is not transferring Diego Garcia to China despite false claims. A treaty maintains U.K. control for 99 years, compensates Chagossians, and reinforces Mauritius’s sovereignty. Political analysts reject fears of Chinese military presence, asserting longstanding U.S.-UK-Mauritius ties. Finalizing the deal could address historical injustices faced by the Chagossians, promoting their potential return to homologous territory.
Concerns surrounding the U.S. military’s base on Diego Garcia have prompted speculations that Mauritius might transfer control to China. However, these claims are unfounded and stem from misinformation propagated by critics. A recent agreement established Mauritius’s sovereignty over Chagos while allowing British control over Diego Garcia for at least 99 years, responding to historical injustices toward the Chagossian people. Political analysts dismiss the theory that China would gain a military foothold in the region, emphasizing the long-standing U.S.-UK-Mauritius alliance.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the creation of the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia involved the controversial removal of the Chagossian people. The U.K. held control over the Chagos Archipelago, while the U.S. secured access in exchange for financial compensation. Recent diplomatic agreements have shifted some sovereignty back to Mauritius, with the international community largely recognizing Mauritian claims to the territory as legitimate.
Finalizing the treaty on Chagos could rectify historical grievances against the Chagossians, allowing for their resettlement to various islands. Despite disinformation campaigns suggesting potential Chinese influence, the core of the agreement reflects a commitment to international laws and human rights. For the U.S., concluding this deal represents an opportunity to support justice for the Chagossian community as the nation approaches a potential change in administration.
Original Source: responsiblestatecraft.org
