Colonialist past hangs over U.K. return of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

Open and honest dialogue on self-determination remains crucial for many places

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U.K.-based Chagos Islanders protest outside parliament over the planned ceding of sovereignty of the islands by Britain to Mauritius on Oct. 7. © Reuters

Syed Munir Khasru is chairman of IPAG Asia Pacific, a Melbourne-based think tank.

The U.K.'s agreement with Mauritius to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean serves as a prime example of the ongoing struggle to address colonial legacies. This development, while significant, also highlights the complexities and compromises needed to resolve such long-standing disputes.

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