Starmer Chagos Deal Grants 54 African Nations Power To Inspect Diego Garcia

African nations will be granted the power to demand international inspections of the strategic Diego Garcia military base under the terms of Sir Keir Starmer’s Chagos Islands deal, sparking warnings that the agreement “imperils” UK and US security interests.

The Nuclear Inspection Trigger

Under the negotiated deal, the UK will cede sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius while leasing back the Diego Garcia airbase for 99 years at a cost of approximately MUR 1.5 Trillion (£35 Billion) in cash terms.

However, as Mauritius is a signatory to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty, the Mauritian deputy prime minister has declared that the storage of nuclear weapons on the base will be prohibited.

Under the treaty’s framework, any member state—comprising nearly the entire African continent—can lodge a complaint with the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) if they suspect a violation.

If the Commission finds “sufficient substance” to a complaint, it can trigger an inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with Commission representatives permitted to accompany the inspectorate.

Security and Geopolitical Concerns

Legal and political figures have raised alarms over the potential for “forced international inspections” of the highly sensitive facility.

• Forced Access: Prof Richard Ekins KC, of Policy Exchange, warned that subjecting the base to such oversight “might well compromise the security of the base.”
• Chinese Influence: Concerns have been heightened regarding Beijing’s influence on the continent through the Belt and Road Initiative. Critics suggest that African nations allied with China could use the treaty to target the base.
• Sovereignty Risks: Baroness Goldie, the opposition defence spokesman, stated the deal “gravely imperils” security interests, noting that the UK and US would have “no control” over third-party inspections.

Political Backlash

The Labour Government faces fierce criticism from the opposition. Dame Priti Patel dismissed the notion that the US would tolerate such terms as “for the birds,” accusing the Prime Minister of lacking the “backbone” to protect national interests.

While Foreign Office sources maintained they are confident the treaty does not conflict with the ability to operate the base as usual, critics argued the “surrender deal” leaves the site vulnerable.

Donald Trump has also reportedly expressed fears that the arrangement could expose the base to Chinese surveillance.

Source: Telegraph