Arabic version: تشاجوسيون يقاومون الإخلاء وسط نقل إقليمي مثير للجدل

A group of Chagossians are refusing to obey a removal order issued by British authorities after landing on the Chagos Islands to protest against a deal to hand over the territory to Mauritius. The four Chagossians arrived on a remote part of the archipelago on Monday after sailing from Galle Harbor on the south-western coast of Sri Lanka, with the aim of establishing a permanent settlement on their “homeland”. According to BBC News, their arrival has led to the issuance of eviction papers by a British patrol vessel, warning them of potential fines or jail time if they do not leave.

Misley Mandarin, a British-Chagossian who is part of the group and calls himself the first minister of a Chagossian government-in-exile, expressed his determination to remain on the islands, stating that the British would have to “drag me from my beach” and “kill me” if they wanted him to leave. He insists that the islands “belong to us” and called on the UK government to allow their return as British citizens.

The British Foreign Office has branded their journey an “illegal, unsafe stunt” but maintains that they do not pose any security risk to the UK-US military base located on Diego Garcia. The four Chagossians are reportedly supported by a crew stationed offshore, who are also critical of the deal transferring the islands to Mauritius.

This situation arises against the backdrop of a controversial agreement made by the UK government to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which many Chagossians view as a betrayal. The deal, which includes a financial arrangement to maintain the military base, has drawn criticism from various quarters, including former Conservative MP Adam Holloway, who has joined the Chagossians in their protest.

Mandarin has called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to cancel the agreement, suggesting that doing so could make him a hero to the Chagossian community. The Foreign Office has reiterated that entering the territory without a valid permit is illegal and that they are working with Mauritius to facilitate heritage visits to the Chagos Archipelago.

As tensions rise, the Chagossians are prepared to go to court to appeal the removal order, signaling that this struggle for their homeland is far from over. Their actions highlight ongoing disputes over sovereignty, identity, and the legacy of colonialism in the region.