Chagossian community unites for self-determination at FOTBOT event in Manchester

Friends of the British Overseas Territories (FOTBOT) hosted their Chagos Islands: Call to Action rally in Manchester yesterday. This event comes amid the UK Government’s decision to proceed with the deal to cede the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and sideline the voices of the Chagossian community. Manchester is home to the second largest Chagossian community in the UK.

Held on Saturday 26th April at Trinity Sports Centre, Manchester, the event saw over 700 Chagossians from different groups within the community unite to demand the right to self-determination, and to rally against the UK Government’s deal with Mauritius.

Attendees heard from a number of speakers from the Chagossian community, including Frankie Bontempts and Maxwell Evenor of Chagossian Voices and Misley Mandarin and Vanessa Calou of the BIOT Citizen platform.

James Lunn, FOTBOT Chief Executive, said:

“FOTBOT continues to stand with the Chagossian community against this unpopular, rotten deal. We are working with a wide range of groups to unite against it, and ensure that their voices - the voices that matter most and which have been sidelined by the UK Government, are finally heard.

The message from our Manchester rally was clear - the Chagossian community want the right to self-determination. We continue to urge the UK Government to cancel the deal, and engage meaningfully with the Chagossians.

Event photos can be found here.