British ‘leaving lessons’ from the Indian Ocean

The Chagos islands, including Peros Banhos and Foalhavahi, were historically part of the Maldives.
• The islands are connected to the Malay Peninsula via winds and navigation.
• French traveller Vincent le Blanc recounted a story of an island called Polouois, which is now known as FoaLhavahi in the Chagos islands.

Africa Connection
• The Maldives sultans brought slaves from Africa, leading to a significant African population in Male by the mid-1800s.
• Slave traders brought slaves to the Maldives and Chagos, likely from the same African clans.

Sovereignty of the Chagos Islands
• The sovereignty of the Chagos islands depended on which side emerged victorious in the British-French wars.
• By 1965, the Chagos islands remained under United Kingdom sovereignty.
• The Sultan of the Maldives sent expeditions to the islands to count and mark coconut palms.

Importance of Marine Conservation
• Fish stocks in the Indian Ocean are depleting due to industrial fishing rights being handed over to greedy trawlers and purse fishermen.
• The only zones fully protected from industrial fishing are those of the Maldives and the Chagos territory.
• Great Britain should discuss how to maintain the protected status of the Chagos archipelago indefinitely.