The injustice in Chagos continues | Donald Trump
Chagos Islands Controversy Resurfaces Amid U.S. and U.K. Relations
President Donald Trump’s recent comments regarding the U.K.-Mauritius agreement on the Chagos Islands have reignited discussions about the remote archipelago, particularly in relation to the U.S. military presence on Diego Garcia. Trump labeled the agreement as “an act of great stupidity,” prompting renewed scrutiny of historical and ongoing human rights issues involving the islands’ Indigenous population, the Chagossians.
The Chagossians, who trace their ancestry to enslaved East Africans, have faced significant displacement since the late 1960s when U.S. officials designated Diego Garcia as a military base site. Viewing the Chagossian population as an obstacle, U.S. and U.K. authorities colluded to remove them, justified by a narrative rooted in racism and misinformation.
Admiral Elmo Zumwalt notably stated that the islanders “absolutely must go.” Reports indicate that tactics to intimidate the Chagossians included gassing their pets. Between 1967 and 1973, British forces forcibly removed approximately 2,000 islanders from not only Diego Garcia but other surrounding islands, paving the way for uninterrupted U.S. military operations that have continued for over five decades.
Today, Chagossians live in exile, primarily in the U.K., Mauritius, and Seychelles, with many still encountering poverty and denial of their right to return. Despite ongoing advocacy, the islands remain largely uninhabited, save for the U.S. military base.
The forced displacement and subsequent hardships experienced by the Chagossians have increasingly come to light through congressional inquiries and research by academics, including David Vine. Human Rights Watch’s recent assessment implicated the U.K. and U.S. in crimes against humanity and recommended reparations to address historical injustices.
In response to this growing acknowledgment, the U.S. State Department expressed “regret” for the treatment of the Chagossians. Furthermore, the U.K. and Mauritius have reached a preliminary agreement recognizing Mauritian sovereignty over the islands, though the U.K. retains formal control over Diego Garcia.
However, the terms of this agreement have raised concerns among the Chagossians, who remain barred from returning home. Although there is hope for limited access to some islands under the new treaty, it does not guarantee their return or address reparations.
The U.S. position continues to oppose Chagossian resettlement on Diego Garcia, citing the military base’s operational needs, which is said to occupy only part of the island. Most Chagossians express a desire to work at the base rather than see it closed.
While both the U.S. and U.K. governments have acknowledged past mistakes, their actions have yet to ensure compliance with international law obligations regarding the Chagossians. Advocates urge these nations to work alongside Mauritius to facilitate the return of the Chagossians to their homeland and to implement reparations as part of rectifying these long-standing injustices. Until significant action is taken, the situation remains a contentious issue.
