The Tiny Island at the Heart of a Big Dispute

In the vast Indian Ocean, a small island named Diego Garcia is causing a big stir.

The Military Base

Location: Part of the Chagos Archipelago
Tenancy: Leased by the United States from Britain since the 1970s
Lease Duration: Until at least 2036
Personnel: Around 2,500, mostly American
Role: Central to US operations in the region, including campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq
Controversy: Linked to secret CIA facilities

Original Status: Part of Mauritius, a former British colony
Separation: 1965, by Britain
Expulsion: About 2,000 original residents were expelled to make way for the US base
Current Status: Many residents and descendants live in Mauritius, campaigning for the right to return

2019 International Court of Justice Ruling: The separation of the Chagos Islands from Mauritius was unlawful
2019 UN General Assembly Resolution: Called on Britain to withdraw its administration from the islands
Votes Against: Only six countries, including Britain, the United States, and Israel

2023 Agreement: Britain and Mauritius agreed to transfer sovereignty over all of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius
Terms: Britain would pay Mauritius $136 million a year for a 99-year lease of the military base on Diego Garcia
Purpose: To allow Britain and the United States to continue operating the base
US Opposition: President Donald Trump has recently opposed this agreement
Political Storm: Reignited in Britain, with some politicians criticizing the deal
Uncertainty: Whether Trump's objections will derail the agreement, given Labour's large majority in Parliament

Negotiations: Conducted without the involvement of the Chagossians themselves
Survey Findings: Most Chagossians favor remaining under British rule and oppose transferring sovereignty to Mauritius
Mauritius' Stance: Stressed that its sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago is clearly established under international law