Issue Five
The Chagos Islands: Islands of Exile
- November 2025
In the middle of the Indian Ocean, a small archipelago carries a very large story. Separated from Mauritius in 1965 and later emptied of its people to make way for a military base, the Chagos Islands have been at the centre of a decades-long fight over sovereignty, justice and the right to return. The Chagossians who were removed from their homes have rarely had a say in decisions about their homeland. We thank all those who have graciously contributed to the creation of this issue.
As you turn these pages, join us on a journey across the Indian Ocean, through the islands where history, law and strategic power collide, and allow these pages to fuel the fire of curiosity that lives deep within you.
what's included
Let's Dive In
In this edition, we take you through the Chagos Islands’ complex colonial history and understand what has shaped the sovereignty dispute and the Chagossians’ struggle to return today.
Our THOUGHTS
The Chagos Islands in Focus
The Chagos Islands’ decades-long collision between colonial power, strategic interests and international law has left a displaced people far from home. The 2025 agreement between the UK and Mauritius marks a turning point, but not the end of the story. Thousands of Chagossians and their descendants remain scattered across Mauritius, the Seychelles and the United Kingdom, resettlement is possible on every island except Diego Garcia, and a culture carried through generations in exile still needs support to endure. The injustice done to the Chagossians is not something to overlook; however, the opportunity for a settlement rooted in return, reparation and the Chagossians’ own voices is just as important.
Keep Reading!
From discussing the Chagos Islands with friends and family or posting about it online to supporting Chagossian organisations and the UN’s efforts, every attempt counts. Awareness and small actions can help build a just future for a people who were never asked about the fate of their home.
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