UK Postpones Deal Over Chagos Islands Amid US Opposition

A UK Bill on Returning Chagos Islands to Mauritius Has Been Paused

The United Kingdom has set aside plans to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following a lack of support from US President Donald Trump. According to a statement from a UK government spokesperson, the decision was made after it became clear that the US would not provide its backing for the deal.

In May last year, the UK and Mauritius jointly announced an agreement to return full sovereignty of Chagos to Mauritius. Under this plan, Britain would lease Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, on a 99-year basis to preserve US military operations there. However, Trump opposed the move, calling it “an act of great stupidity”.

Despite initial opposition from Trump, he appeared to soften his stance after speaking with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in February. However, he later attacked the prime minister again, stating that ceding the Chagos Islands would be a “blight on our Great Ally”. Relations between Trump and Starmer have since become strained due to the US-Israel war on Iran.

The UK has controlled the Chagos Islands since 1814, including after Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s. The Diego Garcia base has played a key role in US military operations in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Thousands of Chagossians were forcibly evicted to make way for the base, leading to compensation claims brought to British courts.

In January, the UK government spokesperson stated that the agreement was seen as the best way to protect the long-term future of the Diego Garcia base. The statement also noted that the UK would continue to engage with the US and Mauritius in relation to the issue.

Source: Al Jazeera