The Pope expressed his joy over the United Kingdom's agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius during a meeting with a delegation of Chagos refugees in Vatican City. Pope Leo XIV characterized the treaty as a "significant victory" in the decades-long struggle of Chagossians to rectify a historical injustice.
Under the terms of the May treaty, Mauritius will officially regain sovereignty over the islands, but the UK and US will maintain their military operations on Diego Garcia for an extended period of 99 years. The Pope emphasized his hopes that the Mauritian government will facilitate the return of the Chagossian refugees to their homeland.
While the agreement has been hailed as a step forward by some, it has faced criticism from UK opposition leaders and certain Chagossians living in the UK. Speaking in French, Pope Leo remarked, "This renewed prospect of your return to your native archipelago is an encouraging sign and a powerful symbol on the international stage." He advocated for the respect of individuals' rights and identities, particularly their right to reside on their own land, voicing that exile should not be an option.
The UK has owned the islands since purchasing them for £3 million in 1968, after which Mauritius claimed it was coerced into relinquishing the territory as part of a deal for independence. The islands were subsequently depopulated to establish military bases for the UK-US forces, displacing numerous Chagossians to Mauritius, the Seychelles, or providing them avenues to settle in England.
The British government has agreed to further financial compensation to Mauritius amounting to an average of £101 million per year over the next 99 years. The arrangement includes a 24-mile exclusion zone around Diego Garcia, prohibiting any construction without UK approval. Military and civilian access to other islands in the Chagos archipelago would be restricted, with the UK retaining veto power over any entry to these territories.
The treaty awaits ratification from both UK and Mauritian parliaments before becoming effective. When the deal was announced, Conservative leaders described it as detrimental to national security, claiming it could expose the UK to threats from China. Nevertheless, Prime Minister expressed that the agreement was vital for ensuring Britain's safety from potential foreign military bases being established in the vicinity of Diego Garcia.
Mauritius's Attorney General Gavin Glover celebrated the historic deal with the BBC in May, asserting, "Our country is elated that this 60-year struggle is finally over." However, two Diego Garcia-born women, seeking to return to their birthplace, had raised a last-minute legal challenge against the agreement, which was ultimately dismissed by the High Court.
Under the terms of the May treaty, Mauritius will officially regain sovereignty over the islands, but the UK and US will maintain their military operations on Diego Garcia for an extended period of 99 years. The Pope emphasized his hopes that the Mauritian government will facilitate the return of the Chagossian refugees to their homeland.
While the agreement has been hailed as a step forward by some, it has faced criticism from UK opposition leaders and certain Chagossians living in the UK. Speaking in French, Pope Leo remarked, "This renewed prospect of your return to your native archipelago is an encouraging sign and a powerful symbol on the international stage." He advocated for the respect of individuals' rights and identities, particularly their right to reside on their own land, voicing that exile should not be an option.
The UK has owned the islands since purchasing them for £3 million in 1968, after which Mauritius claimed it was coerced into relinquishing the territory as part of a deal for independence. The islands were subsequently depopulated to establish military bases for the UK-US forces, displacing numerous Chagossians to Mauritius, the Seychelles, or providing them avenues to settle in England.
The British government has agreed to further financial compensation to Mauritius amounting to an average of £101 million per year over the next 99 years. The arrangement includes a 24-mile exclusion zone around Diego Garcia, prohibiting any construction without UK approval. Military and civilian access to other islands in the Chagos archipelago would be restricted, with the UK retaining veto power over any entry to these territories.
The treaty awaits ratification from both UK and Mauritian parliaments before becoming effective. When the deal was announced, Conservative leaders described it as detrimental to national security, claiming it could expose the UK to threats from China. Nevertheless, Prime Minister expressed that the agreement was vital for ensuring Britain's safety from potential foreign military bases being established in the vicinity of Diego Garcia.
Mauritius's Attorney General Gavin Glover celebrated the historic deal with the BBC in May, asserting, "Our country is elated that this 60-year struggle is finally over." However, two Diego Garcia-born women, seeking to return to their birthplace, had raised a last-minute legal challenge against the agreement, which was ultimately dismissed by the High Court.
