The UK and Mauritius reported significant progress in their ongoing discussions to finalize a deal over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. The deal includes control over a U.S.-British military base, with London aiming for a resolution before Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
The agreement, first struck in October, will see Britain transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. However, the UK will retain oversight of the Diego Garcia military base, the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago, under a 99-year lease. This deal still requires ratification.
The announcement follows public criticism from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s allies and Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who has voiced the need to renegotiate the agreement. Despite this, Britain maintains that the deal is fair and benefits all parties involved.
Reports suggest that the UK has proposed advancing payments to Mauritius in exchange for the lease on the strategically crucial military base. Both countries issued a joint statement, affirming their commitment to reaching an agreement that ensures Mauritius’ sovereignty over the islands while securing the base’s long-term operation.
However, opposition to the deal remains. Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, has raised concerns about the deal’s potential threat to U.S. security. The base is critical for U.S. military operations, including long-range bombers and warships stationed on Diego Garcia.
Chagossians, the indigenous people displaced from the islands, have strongly criticized the negotiations, citing their exclusion from talks. The group Chagossian Voices condemned the process, calling it a violation of their human rights and vowing to protest the agreement.