Chagos Island residents have gathered outside the British Embassy in Mauritius to protest against Labour’s surrender of the territory.
In October, Sir Keir Starmer announced that the UK is giving up sovereignty of the islands, ending decades of often tense negotiations between Britain and Mauritius over the archipelago.
Britain, which has controlled the region since 1814, detached the Chagos Islands in 1965 from Mauritius – a former colony that became independent three years later – to create the British Indian Ocean territory.
Now, locals have rallied outside the British Embassy outside the African island country to demand that Jonathan Powell halt talks with the Mauritian government.
Chagos Island residents have gathered outside the British Embassy in Mauritius to protest the handover
Powell, who negotiated the surrender, has previously said that Britain should not be “too worried” about losing control of the islands he described as being “very tiny”.
Demonstrators wielded signs that read: “Our voices also need to be heard. We demand to be part of the negotiations”, and “Respect Chagossians’ voice. Chagossian British remains British.”
Chagossians in the UK also took to the streets to protest against the deal. Hundreds gathered in Hackney, east London earlier this month, with many coming from Crawley, West Sussex, which has the UK’s largest Chagossian community of over 3,000 people.
Many of those against the deal believe it could lead to the Labour government handing over other territories.
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Locals have rallied outside the British Embassy outside the African island country
Locals are demanding that Jonathan Powell halt talks with the Mauritian government
The Chagos Islands are home to a military base which is used by the UK and US governments, which is situated on the island of Diego Garcia.
Starmer said the agreement over the islands would secure the long-term future of the military base, which he deemed as the “single most important thing”. It will retain the facility on a 99-year lease.
A joint statement from Starmer and Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth said: “Following two years of negotiation, this is a seminal moment in our relationship and a demonstration of our enduring commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and the rule of law.”
The Foreign Office said the status of the base will be undisputed and legally secure following a political agreement between the two countries. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future.”
The move sparked widespread condemnation with Tory MP and deputy chairman Brendan Clarke-Smith saying: “Beijing will be delighted. Next it will be Gibraltar or the Falklands.
“This is not a serious Government – or a Government that acts in the interests of the UK and its allies.”
James Cleverly also lashed out at Labour, saying: “Weak, weak, weak! Labour lied to get into office. Said they’d be whiter than white, said they wouldn’t put up taxes, said they’d stand up to the EU, said that they be patriotic. All lies!”
Misley Mandarin, from the British Indian Ocean Territory Citizens, has also been openly critical about the government’s decision.
He told The Telegraph: “If the Labour Government did this without going to the Parliament, without self-determination, they could do that to any British territory. There is no trusting them.”
Mandarian added: “We have a voice, don’t suffocate our voice.”
