UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands Sovereignty Deal Nearing Finalization
Downing Street confirms progress in discussions regarding the transfer of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius, following US endorsement.
The British government has confirmed that discussions to finalize a controversial sovereignty transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius are ongoing, emphasizing support from the United States.
The announcement from Downing Street states that the deal is progressing towards finalization after receiving backing from President Donald Trump during a meeting with UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in February.
Under the terms of the proposed agreement, the UK will relinquish sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, which includes the strategic Diego Garcia military base, critical for US naval operations.
In exchange, the UK is expected to lease the base from Mauritius for approximately £90 million annually, with payments potentially being front-loaded to secure agreement from the Mauritian government.
The British government's rationale for the transfer stems from international legal rulings that have conferred rights to Mauritius over the territory.
However, negotiations had previously been complicated by a change of administration in Mauritius as well as evolving political dynamics surrounding US-Mauritian relations.
Downing Street has indicated that the finalization phase is now focused on terms being settled between the UK and Mauritian governments.
The Prime Minister's spokesman reiterated that the strength of the deal has been recognized by President Trump, suggesting favorable intentions from the US.
Additionally, local councils in the UK have noted a rising number of families of Chagossian descent arriving at Heathrow Airport without concrete accommodation plans, underscoring the humanitarian implications tied to the historic context of the Chagos Islands' displacement.
Reports indicate that between late July 2024 and mid-February, 171 individuals from the British Indian Ocean Territory have sought assistance from local councils, primarily comprising families with children, leading to predicted local expenditure exceeding £1 million by the year's end.
The announcement from Downing Street states that the deal is progressing towards finalization after receiving backing from President Donald Trump during a meeting with UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in February.
Under the terms of the proposed agreement, the UK will relinquish sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, which includes the strategic Diego Garcia military base, critical for US naval operations.
In exchange, the UK is expected to lease the base from Mauritius for approximately £90 million annually, with payments potentially being front-loaded to secure agreement from the Mauritian government.
The British government's rationale for the transfer stems from international legal rulings that have conferred rights to Mauritius over the territory.
However, negotiations had previously been complicated by a change of administration in Mauritius as well as evolving political dynamics surrounding US-Mauritian relations.
Downing Street has indicated that the finalization phase is now focused on terms being settled between the UK and Mauritian governments.
The Prime Minister's spokesman reiterated that the strength of the deal has been recognized by President Trump, suggesting favorable intentions from the US.
Additionally, local councils in the UK have noted a rising number of families of Chagossian descent arriving at Heathrow Airport without concrete accommodation plans, underscoring the humanitarian implications tied to the historic context of the Chagos Islands' displacement.
Reports indicate that between late July 2024 and mid-February, 171 individuals from the British Indian Ocean Territory have sought assistance from local councils, primarily comprising families with children, leading to predicted local expenditure exceeding £1 million by the year's end.
