In the centre of the Indian Ocean, near Mauritius and Seychelles, lie the Chagos Islands, an archipelago once known for its paradisiacal landscapes and turquoise waters. Also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, this is a place that could easily rank today among the top tourist destinations in East Africa.

Yet, what may come as a surprise to many is that the Chagos Islands are shrouded in uncertainty, displacement, and a dark, twisted reality imposed by its colonisers. As Britain’s last African colony, the United Kingdom still asserts itself as its sole ruler and decision maker.

And before questioning how this remains possible, it’s important to recognise that although slavery was abolished, colonialism and land occupation didn’t simply end. In many cases, they receded, not out of moral reckoning, but because European states could no longer afford to maintain overseas territories while also rebuilding in the aftermath of World War II.