Four islanders land on remote Chagos atoll, hope to block UK-Mauritius deal

Four Chagos islanders have landed on one of the Indian Ocean archipelago's atolls to establish what they say will be a permanent settlement, a move they hope will complicate a British plan to transfer the territory to Mauritius.



Mauritius' attorney general said the move was a publicity stunt designed to create conflict over a 2025 agreement with Britain on handing over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, which is opposed by some Chagossians who accuse Mauritius of decades of neglect. Mauritius has denied the accusation.



Misley Mandarin, leader of the four people who landed on Monday on the remote Ile du Coin atoll, said they were living in tents and expect 10 more arrivals next week plus many more in the coming year, he said.