UK and Mauritius Finalize Chagos Islands Sovereignty Deal
The UK is set to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, with plans for a long-term lease of the Diego Garcia military base.
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The plan to hand over control of the Chagos Islands, officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, was announced last October following negotiations with then-Mauritian leader Pravind Jugnauth.
UK finalising Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius, says No 10
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Critics have argued that the handover will compromise the security of the joint military base because of Mauritius’s relationship with China.
Donald Trump signs off UK’s handover of Chagos Islands to Mauritius
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The continued operation of Diego Garcia will require the U.S. and U.K. to pay for a lease of the island, an arrangement reportedly worth about $1 billion.
Trump approves UK plan to give up Chagos Islands
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UK and Mauritius close in on deal over Chagos Islands after US signals its consent
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Summary
Britain is finalizing a deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, allowing continued UK and US military presence on Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease. The agreement follows a history of contested sovereignty and eviction of Chagossian islanders. Despite international pressure and prior criticisms from US officials, the deal has now received approval from President Trump. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasizes the deal as crucial for national security, while opposition parties raise concerns over its costs and implications for sovereignty.
Perspectives
The agreement to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is framed as a legal obligation for the UK, with the U.N. supporting Mauritius's claim, indicating a need for decolonization.
Concerns over national security have been raised, particularly regarding the U.K.'s military base on Diego Garcia, yet officials maintain that the strategic importance of the base will be preserved through a long-term lease arrangement.
The government is actively working to finalize the deal, despite criticism from opposition parties, with assurances that details, including costs and support for displaced islanders, will be provided to Parliament.
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