Chagossian Leader Urges Final Push to Stop the 35 billion Handover

The First Minister of the Chagossian people has issued an urgent “call to action” to the British public to help block the transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, warning that the UK is on the verge of an “irreversible and deeply damaging decision.”

Misley Mandarin, First Minister of the Chagossian Government in Exile, is urging citizens to contact members of the House of Lords immediately.

The plea comes ahead of a decisive third reading in the Lords tomorrow (Monday 12 January), which represents what opponents call the last realistic opportunity to stop the sovereignty handover.

A £35 Billion Bill

Under the proposed legislation, sovereignty over the 60 islands of the Chagos Archipelago would be transferred to Mauritius.

The move would end British control of the strategically vital territory and commit British taxpayers to payments estimated at more than thirty billion pounds, potentially rising to thirty five billion pounds, to lease back the Diego Garcia military base.

Security and Nuclear Risks

Defence analysts have raised the alarm over the UK losing sovereignty, warning that access could be renegotiated or influenced by other powers, specifically citing China’s growing interest in the region.

Furthermore, legal experts warn that because Mauritius is a signatory to the Pelindaba Treaty—which establishes a nuclear-weapons-free zone—it could legally prohibit the presence of nuclear-capable submarines in Chagos waters the day after ratification.

This would potentially place AUKUS operations and Britain’s strategic deterrent in “immediate jeopardy,” as there is reportedly no other site in that region capable of sustaining such fleets.

“Racial Discrimination”

The Labour Government faces accusations of a “manifesto breach,” with critics pointing to page 120 of their general election platform, which pledged to protect Overseas Territories and defend self-determination.

Mr Mandarin argues that the Chagossian people, who were forcibly removed from their homes between 1968 and 1973, were never consulted and wish to remain British.

Leaders have described the exclusion of the predominantly non-white indigenous population from the negotiations as an act of “racial discrimination.”

Constitutional Battle

The House of Lords has previously voted to delay the Bill, citing concerns over:

• National Security: The loss of leverage over the Diego Garcia base.
• Environmental Protection: Risks to the pristine marine ecosystem.
• Legal Clarity: An ongoing judicial review, supported by the Great British PAC, challenging the legality of the process.

“This legislation must be voted down,” Mr Mandarin said. “It needs to return to Parliament and be done properly. We must be consulted. Anything less repeats the injustices of the past.”

Source: Conservative Post