What You Need to Know
The UK government has decided to abandon its plan to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, primarily due to opposition from US President Donald Trump. The spokesperson indicated that the UK would only proceed with the return if it had the support of the United States. This decision comes as the legislation aimed at returning the islands was nearing its expiration in parliament.
Africa-Press – Mauritius. Britain is shelving its plan to hand back the Chagos Islands — which hosts the strategic Diego Garcia US-UK military base — according to a government spokesperson, following strong opposition from US President Donald Trump.
“We have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has US support” the spokesman says in a statement, as reports say legislation to return the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius was due to run out of time in parliament.
Trump in January lashed out at what he called London’s “great stupidity” over the deal. The islands are home to the key Diego Garcia US-UK military base.
The Chagos Islands, located in the Indian Ocean, have been a point of contention between Mauritius and the UK since the islands were detached from Mauritius in 1965. The UK established a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, which has strategic importance for US and UK military operations. Over the years, Mauritius has sought to reclaim sovereignty over the islands, but geopolitical interests, particularly those of the US, have complicated these efforts. The recent comments from President Trump reflect the ongoing tensions surrounding the islands’ status.
