Breaking News: Tony Blair's Former Chief of Staff Appointed to Negotiate Ownership of Chagos Islands in Indian Ocean | Impact on UK, US, and Mauritius Relations
In a significant development, former Prime Minister Tony Blair's chief of staff, Jonathan Powell, has been appointed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a special envoy to lead negotiations between Britain and Mauritius over the ownership of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean. The Chagos Islands are home to a major U.S. military base on the biggest island, Diego Garcia.
Britain, which has controlled the region since 1814, detached the Chagos islands in 1965 from Mauritius to create the British Indian Ocean Territory. However, Mauritius claims it was illegally stripped of the islands and is seeking to reclaim them.
The British government leased Diego Garcia to the United States in 1966, leading to the forced removal of around 2,000 people. British Foreign Minister David Lammy has stated that he is determined to protect the "long-term" operation of the military base on Diego Garcia.
Powell, known for his role in brokering a peace deal in Northern Ireland in 1998, has been tasked with carrying out the sensitive negotiations between Britain and Mauritius. The people displaced from the Chagos Islands have been advocating for their right to return, facing extreme hardships and poverty in the Seychelles and Mauritius.
In 2016, Britain extended the lease of Diego Garcia until 2036, barring the expelled islanders from returning. Diego Garcia has played a crucial role as a U.S. base during conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, serving as a launch pad for long-range bombers.
The ongoing negotiations between Britain and Mauritius will have significant implications for the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, the displaced islanders, and the operations of the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.