The Falkland Islands’ governor has sought to allay concerns over the territory’s sovereignty following Britain’s agreement to hand over the Chagos Islands.
In a historic move, Britain has agreed to relinquish ownership of the tropical islands to Mauritius after decades of often difficult negotiations.
But in an attempt to allay the fears of people in another strategically important island group, Falkland Islands Governor Alison Blake said the legal and historical backgrounds of both territories were “very different”.
In a statement posted on social media, the prime minister said Britain’s commitment to the sovereignty of the South Atlantic territory was “unwavering” and “will not diminish.”
In a message to residents, she said: “I would like to reassure you that the legal and historical contexts of the Chagos Islands and the Falkland Islands are very different.
“British ministers have been clear throughout the process that the UK will not agree to any action that risks endangering its sovereignty in other overseas territories.
“The UK Government remains committed to protecting the right to self-determination of the people of the Falkland Islands and the UK’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding British sovereignty remains unabated.”
The Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory located in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over these islands.
Argentina invaded in 1982 in a bid to regain sovereignty, claiming it had inherited the Falkland Islands from Spain in the 1800s.
What followed was a short but brutal war that lasted 74 days and resulted in the deaths of 655 Argentines, 255 British and 3 Falklanders, before British forces regained control on 14 June 1982.
Governor Blake’s announcement comes after Britain reached an agreement to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after years of negotiations.
This includes the tropical Diego Garcia Atoll, which the U.S. government uses as a secret military base for warships and long-range bombers.
A joint statement from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said the treaty also “demonstrates the commitment of both parties to address the wrongs of the past and support the welfare of the Chagossian people.”
