The Chagos Archipelago: A limited victory for decolonization

The UK's October 2024 agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius marks a turning point in Indian Ocean decolonization, though Mauritius must delegate control of Diego Garcia back to the UK for 99 years to maintain the US military base. This article traces the forced displacement of Chagossians from 1968‐1973 and their current responses as their future hangs in the balance. Despite promises of resettlement in parts of the archipelago, many Chagossians remain wary of their continued exclusion from decisions about their ancestral homeland. Their experiences reveal the human costs when military strategy outweighs indigenous rights.