Imagine waking up one day to find your ancestral home has been handed over to another country without your input. This is the harsh reality now facing thousands of Chagossians, a displaced island community whose fate was decided in a sweeping move by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. His administration’s recent decision to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has triggered a new wave of fear, uncertainty—and migration.
For decades, Chagossians have fought for the right to return to their homeland after being forcibly removed in the late 20th century. While the sovereignty deal is framed as correcting a colonial-era wrong, the very people it was meant to help are fleeing instead. Hundreds of Chagossians are now making their way to Britain, desperate for stability, fearful of political uncertainty in Mauritius, and once again caught in the crosshairs of global politics.
In this deep dive, we explore the geopolitical chess game that led to this mass migration, the emotional toll on Chagossian families, and how the UK is coping with the influx. This is more than a migration story—it’s a human rights crisis with far-reaching implications.
Understanding the Chagos Islands
Geopolitical Significance of the Chagos Archipelago
The Chagos Archipelago, a group of over 60 islands in the Indian Ocean, has long held strategic value far beyond its size. Located about halfway between Africa and Indonesia, it provides a critical military vantage point. The jewel in this crown is Diego Garcia, a military base leased by the UK to the United States and used as a launchpad for operations across the Middle East and South Asia.
For this reason, the Chagos Islands have been at the heart of global military strategy for decades. The presence of the US base has turned the islands into one of the most fortified and secretive places on Earth, inaccessible to civilians and, more importantly, to the original inhabitants—Chagossians.
The handover of the islands to Mauritius, excluding Diego Garcia, doesn’t erase this military importance. Instead, it complicates it. As Britain gives up direct control over the islands, questions emerge about who will govern the remaining civilian areas, what legal jurisdictions will apply, and how long the US-UK military cooperation can continue undisturbed.
Historical Ownership and the Dispute with Mauritius
Historically, the Chagos Islands were part of Mauritius during British colonial rule. In 1965, just before granting independence to Mauritius, the UK carved out the archipelago to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), a move Mauritius never accepted. For decades, Mauritius has pushed for the return of the Chagos Islands, arguing that the UK’s separation of the islands was illegal under international law.
This dispute came to a head in 2019, when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the UK’s control over the islands was unlawful and that it must end its administration “as rapidly as possible.” The United Nations General Assembly later voted overwhelmingly in favor of Mauritius’s sovereignty.
Starmer’s move to honor this ruling was hailed by international legal bodies, but not by everyone—least of all the Chagossians. While Mauritius celebrates the return of lost territory, Chagossians fear being caught between two nations, neither of which has properly consulted them.
The Starmer Administration’s Controversial Move
Key Points of the Sovereignty Deal with Mauritius
In May 2025, Keir Starmer’s administration signed a landmark agreement with Mauritius to officially transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, excluding Diego Garcia, which remains under British jurisdiction through a 99-year lease. The deal is reportedly worth £3.4 billion, including continued rent payments from the US for military use of Diego Garcia.
The agreement stipulates that Mauritius will have administrative control over the rest of the archipelago, while the military base remains untouched. This split arrangement raises eyebrows: why hand over sovereignty without full autonomy?
Critics argue the deal was rushed and failed to include any meaningful consultation with the Chagossians themselves. Activists describe it as yet another betrayal, echoing the original expulsion in the 1960s and 70s. For many Chagossians, the transition to Mauritian rule is not a homecoming—it’s another exile.
Motivations Behind the Handover
Keir Starmer has framed the deal as part of a broader effort to uphold international law and support post-colonial justice. By returning the islands, the UK can demonstrate compliance with ICJ rulings and improve its global standing.
There’s also the economic factor. With a lucrative lease on Diego Garcia and improved relations with African nations, the UK stands to gain financially and diplomatically.
However, many political observers see this as a short-term win with long-term consequences. By failing to prioritize Chagossian rights, the UK may have sacrificed ethical leadership for expedient diplomacy. And for the displaced islanders, it’s a stark reminder that their voices remain unheard in decisions about their homeland.
