Territorio britannico dell’oceano indiano
On March 16, 2026, the High Court of England and Wales issued an injunction temporarily preventing the British government from finalizing the transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. This legal action was initiated by members of the Chagossian community who argued that they had not been adequately consulted about the agreement.
The Chagos Archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean, has been a point of contention between the United Kingdom and Mauritius for decades. In 1965, prior to Mauritius gaining independence, the UK separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius, creating the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). Between 1968 and 1973, the UK forcibly removed the Chagossian people to establish a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago.
In recent years, international bodies, including the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, have called for the UK to return the islands to Mauritius. In May 2025, the UK and Mauritius signed an agreement to transfer sovereignty, with provisions for the UK to lease back Diego Garcia for military purposes.
Despite the agreement between the UK and Mauritius, members of the Chagossian community have expressed concerns about their exclusion from the decision-making process. On March 16, 2026, two Chagossian women, Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, filed a legal challenge against the UK government, seeking to halt the transfer until their rights and interests were adequately addressed.
The High Court granted an interim injunction, stating that the government must not take any conclusive or legally binding steps to finalize the transfer of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius until the concerns of the Chagossian community are properly considered.
The court's decision underscores the importance of involving indigenous communities in decisions that affect their ancestral lands. The injunction has temporarily stalled the transfer process, prompting the UK government to engage in further consultations with the Chagossian community.
Legal experts suggest that this case could set a precedent for how former colonial powers address sovereignty disputes involving displaced populations. The outcome may influence future negotiations and highlight the necessity of inclusive decision-making processes.
As the legal proceedings continue, the Chagossian community remains hopeful that their voices will be heard, and their rights recognized in any future agreements concerning the Chagos Islands.
