UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday welcomed a landmark agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago.
The deal, signed earlier in the day, transfers sovereignty of the Chagos Islands from the UK to Mauritius after decades of dispute.
Despite the transfer, the agreement allows the continued operation of the Diego Garcia military base by the US and UK for 99 years.
Guterres described the agreement as “a significant step towards resolving a long-standing dispute in the Indian Ocean region.”
He praised the diplomatic breakthrough, calling it a testament to the power of negotiation in addressing historical grievances.
“This agreement demonstrates the value of diplomacy in addressing historical grievances,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, quoting Guterres.
The Secretary-General called on both parties to maintain constructive dialogue and ensure the rights of the displaced Chagossian people are respected.
The Chagos Islands have been at the heart of a bitter sovereignty battle since Britain detached them from Mauritius in the 1960s.
In 1814, under the Treaty of Paris, Britain formally annexed Mauritius and its dependencies, including the Chagos Archipelago.
Thousands of Chagossians were later forcibly removed from the islands to make way for a military base, igniting decades of legal and diplomatic battles.
The UN has consistently supported Mauritius’s claim to the islands, reinforcing international calls for decolonisation.
Guterres pledged continued UN support for the UK and Mauritius as they implement the terms of the agreement.
The accord marks a rare diplomatic victory in a region often overshadowed by competing global interests and colonial legacies.