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Chagossians want to go home
***Some 30 years after they were forcibly deported to Mauritius by the British to make way for a military base, the people of the Chagos Archipelago are taking the British government to court, saying they want to go home. Nasseem Ackbarally writes from Port Louis on the plight of the Chagossians - the victims of the military manoeuvres.***
IIT^ *l>e Chagos we lived, I worked ana died.'' says iFernand Mandarin, native of the archipelago of some 65 small Islets, lying about 1,900 km north of Mauritius on the Indian ocean.
Once a British colony along with Mauritius, Britain retained the territory in 1965 during negotiations on the Indc-jiendence of Mauritius.
It turned out to be a straight swap — Mauritius became Independent on March 12. 1968 and some time later, the United States began building a military base on the archipelago's largest Island. Diego Garcia, leased to the US by Britain.
Where once the island supported the simple lifestyle of the Chagossians, it assumed gigantic military significance In flic Cold War years. Located half way between Asia and Africa, it is still used to support US forces in the Middle East.
To make way for the Americans, however, some 1,500 Chagossians, scattered over tlie archipelago were moved to Mauritius and the Seychelles.
According to Chagossians. the British organised raids to assemble those who resisted the deportation plans. There were rumours that the Americans would bomb the islands to snuff out any resistance.
Some, who had gone to Mauritius to buy essentials were forced to stay behind, rounded up by police who said there were no boats going back to the Cha-gos-
Today, there are some 5.000 Chagossians in Mauritius, mostly living In abject poverty at Pointe-aux-Sables on the western coast and Bale-du-Tombeau. near Port Louis, the capital.
Theirs Is a classic tale of dispossession and poverty. Twice — In 1973 and 1979 — the British government paid compensations of £650.000 and £1.25 million while the Mauritian government gave land But neither was enough to help them integrate and prosper In Mauritian society.
Some bought more land with the money, others houses and furniture — only to sell for a pittance later during hard times Still others squandered their money in amusement and parties A handful made a success of their lives; others are still struggling for such basics as food, clothing and a home
The Chagos Archipelago and Mauritius were 'discovered' by Arab navigators In the 14th century, then visited by Portuguese explorer Pedro Mascarenhas. In the 18th century, the French used the Island as a base for a navigation company, and brought in African slaves.
When the British took possession of the island in the 19th century, they found a native population — descendants of the slaves — according to comments made by British Governor Robert Scott in a book written in 1950.
Over several generations, life for the Chagossians had followed a peaceful course. People from one island would visit others by boats. The post came by boat from Mauritius, bearing news of weddings, births, deaths — and gossip
Their main activity was to produce copra, for which they received a salary. They also farmed, fished and cultivated vegetables. "We lived happily." says Anse Gregoire, a carpenter The islands were managed by British officers or their repre-
sentatives who also took care of the education and health of the Chagossians. The archipelago is said to be full of fish, coconut and fruits.
The Chagossians came to Mauritius with very few possessions. Some committed suicide, others suffered from psychological problems. Today they are among the poorest people in Mauritius. Only one young boy. Ricardo Mouza. secured high marks in school leaving examinations in 1998.
In early June this year. Ban-couh — accompanied'by fellow-Chagossians Rozeinon't Sami-naden and Raphael Louis — paid a four-day visit to the islands after being granted special
permission by Britain.
I he visit was widely reported in the Mauritius media.
Baiicouit is being helped financially by the British legal aid system, the London-based nongovernmental Minority Rights Group the Swiss Comite Soutien Aux Chagossians. Anti-slavery International and Mauritians living in Britain.
In Its turn. Mauritius has a long standing claim to the Chagos Archipelago — although Britain insists that the territory would only be handed back when it is no longer needed for strategic purposes.
— Gemini News
The author works for Le Muuricien. a Mauritian daily.